Why Not Morocco?

I’ll add a short coda to Sue’s more eloquent remarks about the recent end of our Moroccan adventure. It’s still amazing to reflect that we had a Marrakesh address for about 16 months! Certainly not as long as we had planned, but still sufficient to get a glimpse of this fascinating country and culture.

As a brief reminder, my new employment with the African Plant Nutrition Institute (apni.net) was what initially took us to Morocco. I was asked to help start a new non-profit organization devoted to improving soil health and plant nutrition for farmers across Africa. It was a fantastic opportunity to apply several decades of experience as a soil scientist in a new humanitarian pursuit.

You probably do not know that the majority of African soils are degraded, eroded, and depleted of the essential nutrients that are

needed to grow healthy crops and food. A mere handful of fertilizer makes a huge impact for many African families – making the difference between fasting and feasting.

Well, the APNI organization is now off the ground and flying. Offices are established in Morocco, Kenya, and Ivory Coast and recent recruitment of new scientists has attracted extremely talented African scientists to expand this important work.

While considering the strict limitations imposed by Covid, changes in the work situation, and family considerations, another job offer dropped unexpectedly into our life. I’ll start working for a Norwegian-based company (YARA) to help farmers across Western North America become better stewards of their fertilizer, improve their soil, and produce abundant healthy food. As another bonus, I’ll be working from home and enjoying the company of my favorite retired librarian.

I hope our adventures continue, but instead of dodging donkey carts and swarms of scooters, we’ll be seeking new experiences closer to home for now. Yes, we definitely will return to Morocco again. There are old friends to visit and new parts of the country that remain to be explored. Anyone want to join in a trek to the peak of Toubkal in the Atlas Mountains or a camel expedition in the Sahara?

One of thousands of donkeys in Marrakesh

Thanks for following this blog and please be grateful for the everyday availability of nutritious food, access to health care, educational opportunities for everyone, and the freedoms we too often take for granted. Share your good fortune when occasions arise.

-Rob

The holidays have ended and 2020 is finally over, so I think it's time I update this blog and let you know what's been going on with us the past several months. I ended my last post in August with the news that my father had passed away from COVID19 and that Rob had tested positive. Although Rob was quite ill with a high fever, body aches and some respiratory issues, he was never hospitalized and has completely recovered from the virus. Miraculously, although I cared for both my dad and Rob during their illnesses, I never got sick and have tested negative for the virus and negative for antibodies. We are so grateful for this unexplained blessing and thank God for his tender mercies in our lives.

Although we were unable to hold a funeral for my father, my brother, my stepsister Jeanne, her husband Bill, Rob, and I were at the cemetery when he was laid to rest. Rob is not pictured because he was watching from the car, still recovering from COVID19.

In September we conducted an online service for my dad that included a slideshow, music, and a beautiful eulogy, all provided by his grandchildren. It wasn't what he deserved, but it was the best we could do, and I know he would have loved it!

Rob continued to work from our home in California as we monitored conditions in Morocco and tried to figure out when we would go back. Experiencing COVID19 firsthand shook us up a bit, and the fact that I could still get sick made us reluctant to hurry our return, even though flights to go back were available in September. As much as we love Morocco, healthcare options there - especially during a pandemic - are a big concern.

As we contemplated what to do, Rob was approached about a different job that would allow us to stay in California. It took a couple of months to finalize the position and make our decision, but ultimately Rob accepted the job with YARA and will begin his duties with them the middle of this month. This unexpected turn of events comes with very mixed emotions. We thought we would have more time to explore and contribute something in Morocco, but with COVID19 restrictions, that has all changed. Along with concerns about healthcare, travel within the country and to neighboring countries is now limited. Some estimate that it will be 2023 before things fully open up again. Although it feels a bit like giving up on a dream, with so much uncertainty, we think it is wise to stay in the USA.

Rob did go back to Marrakech for a month in October/November to teach a class and pack us up. Having COVID19 immunity made this a safe option for him.

Getting home was an adventure for him...the COVID test results required to fly back to NYC arrived in an email an hour before he had to board the plane in Casablanca! And how he managed to wrangle all of these suitcases (and my sewing machine!) through the airports I'll never know! But he finally made it home.

Someone recently asked me what I liked best about Morocco. That's a hard question to answer, but when I think of it in terms of what I'll miss the most I do have some thoughts. Bear with me here, I'm going to share a lot of pictures!

First, I will miss the history, the "ancientness" of it all, and learning about a part of the world that I knew very little about before we lived there.

I will also miss the beautiful vibrant colors I saw everywhere around me.

Oddly enough, I will miss feeling the challenge of doing something out of my comfort zone. Like driving, and shopping, and communicating...

But most of all, I will miss the people. We met so many wonderful people! I'm grateful that my life intersected with theirs, if only for a short time. Perhaps we will meet again someday, inshallah.