What's the Rush?

I think I've been in a hurry since before I was born. Family lore has it that I was almost born in the car as my father drove through the fog to the hospital after my mother went into labor two weeks before her due date. Efficiency has been my credo for as long as I can remember because it's always been important to me to SAVE TIME. Isn't it interesting then that here I am, in the seventh decade of my life, living in a place that refuses to rush?

Last night Rob and I attended a banquet for all the student's he has been working with this past week which illustrates this relaxed culture. We were a little surprised when we learned that the start time for the event was 9:00 pm as our dinner time is typically closer to 6:00 pm but when in Rome...

We arrived at the lovely outdoor pavillion about 8:50 and observed the musicians in place and the food ready to go.

The only thing missing was the majority of the guests. Concerned that tardiness would be considered rude, but accounting for the universal custom of being fashionably late, we took a little walk around the grounds and returned about 9:05 pm. We visited with some of the guests and tried not to look at our watches too often but when 9:45 pm rolled around and we were still waiting I started to wonder. 

About 9:50 a second group of musicians dressed in traditional Moroccan attire finally got the party started. With a beating of the drums and a blowing of a very long skinny trumpet, they invited us to enter the pavillion, offering a date and a cup of some kind of milk at the entrance. These edibles signify welcome to guests who have come from afar. I guess that means us!

Following a delicious dinner which included traditional dishes such as couscous and tangine (and oh so much more)...

the dancing started!

Everyone had a great time, all I might add, without the lowering of inhibitions induced by the consumption of adult beverages as Muslims generally do not drink. How refreshing!

These lovely ladies allowed me to photograph them in their traditional Moroccan dress gowns. Note that each of these women works as an agricultural consultant in various locations throughout Morocco. Impressive!

So, all in all, the banquet was definitely worth the wait. I think maybe even I can learn to relax and go with the flow a little more while I'm living in Morocco. Rob will like that!

Never Say Never

If someone had told me a year ago that some day I would live in Morocco I would have told them it could never happen. But one year ago I didn't know that the very stable nonprofit Rob has worked with for 17 years would shut down, that a new nonprofit based in Africa would offer him a job, and that we would both be really excited about the prospect of moving to this exotic country. Well, that's what happened and I'm sitting in an apartment in Marrakesh even as I write. Lesson learned? Never say never!

Old town market Marrakesh, Morroco

We flew in yesterday for a pre-move visit to get a lay of the land before we move for real later this summer. Our connection in Lisbon afforded us the opportunity to see what must be the biggest airport sardine shop in the world. 

 

Who knew that sardines are considered the third marvel of Portugal, after soccer and sunlight? I wish I could say I'm excited about living so close to the sardine capital of the world, but I've never really cared for these oily little critters. The cans are beautiful though!

Rob new employer, Morocco based fertilizer company OCP, will be providing housing for us during our stay in Marrakesh. Our permanent accomodations will be ready for a tour tomorrow, but in the meantime they have provided an apartment in a complex which is quite lovely. 

Rob is teaching some classes and attending some planning meetings during our short stay this month, but I am living the life of leisure. (Did I mention that I retired last month? 😀) I started my day with a swim in the enormous pool outside our apartment. Yes, it's as big as it looks. Let's just say the Moroccans know how to do things right! 

And so begins our Moroccan adventure! We have so much to learn and experience and look forward to sharing our exploits via this blog if you are interested in following along. Until next time we bid you a fond adieu! 

Sue & Rob