The King is Coming!

Rumors abound. The king is coming to our community this week! The sudden flurry of construction activity adds weight to the rumors. Gravel is being laid on the muddy walkways, the park is being spiffed up with new plantings and retaining walls, holes in the road are filled in, strings of lights adorn the lamp posts, banners are hanging from all the government buildings, there is a visible increase in gendarmes and military officers, and the red and green flag of Morocco has sprouted from every building and along the streets. He may come Thursday or Friday or ?. Unfortunately we leave on Friday for a week so I hope he comes before then. It would be exciting to have the chance to see the king.

Last week I cooked an America dinner for our host family. I decided on fried chicken, roasted vegetables, and applesauce because it’s easy and I could get all the ingredients here. It took about three times longer than it would at home. First I had to have a chicken killed. Luckily there are places that do this for you. Then I had to peel the apples and vegetables with a dull knife. I couldn’t find fresh rosemary at the market but I saw some growing in the flower garden in front of the military complex, so when I walked by I surreptitiously picked some. My host mother was horrified when I told her where I got it although I’m not sure she understood my gun shooting gestures. The meal turned out great and they ate everything, so I call it a successful cultural exchange
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We have made some new discoveries, the most important of which is a pizzeria and patisserie all in one. The French pastries are cream filled and look delicious. We visited again tonight and had a mushroom pizza which is called by the off-putting name of fungus. It wouldn’t stand up to our favorite pizzas at home, but it’s a welcome break from the usual fare. The owner speaks some English, so when we speak darija (to sounds of laughter from the kitchen) he helps us out.

On Friday we go to Azrou again and will get together with the other four SDB groups for more training and to exchange stories and experiences. The highpoint of the meeting will be when they tell us where our sites will be for the next two years. We are trying to stay open to all possibilities and not have any expectations but it’s difficult not to speculate. We are trying to stay focused on going where our knowledge and skills will be most useful.