All right, so I found out today that my host family doesn't speak English.
People have been asking me all along if I'm nervous or scared and I haven't been until today when I found out this information. Suddently, BAM, it hit me - you are really going to be alone, girlfriend, taking care of yourself and having to learn. Haha, I'm such an arrogant American, aren't I, assuming they would speak English? At any rate, I realized in a very dramatic way that I am doing this "for realsies," as a friend of mine would say.
I also stumbled upon some other blogs today with tons of beautiful pictures of different parts of the world and experienced this intense desire to be one with nature, to live in the woods, run through meadows, climb mountains, go canoeing. I've always lived in big cities, but somehow now I feel like I have to live in nature before I can earn living in a city....like I have to give Mother Nature her due before I decide the man-made Cities are better...
If nothing else, I'm sure it's cheaper.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Margaritas, Karaoke, and a crick in my neck!
After three weeks of couch-hopping and living out of my car, I finally have made it back to Texas! Sunday morning my Dad flew into New York to see the show I was just in, TDBC. We then did strike, had a little food, then hit the road!
It was such a whirlwind and I was still in it halfway through the night. I left New York on such a high note, having been involved in a show with so many wonderful people, having realized how many wonderful people came to support me in it. As we drove away from the city I was having the bittersweet combination of loving and missing my dear friends in New York, and imagined all the crazy stories and funny trinkets I'll be able to bring to them. If any of you are reading this, please know how much I love you and carry you with me always.
We drove in shifts for 19 hours until we reached Memphis, only stopping for fuel and a quick breakfast outside Roanoke.
Memphis was awesome! We drove past Graceland, ate fried pickles at a touristy Elvis-themed restaurant with menu items such as the "Blue Suede Cheeseburger", drove over to Mississippi to see the G.I. Joe movie, then went to Bar 240 right next to our hotel and had $5 margaritas and a whole lot of fun singing karaoke.
The next morning I binged on continental breakfast food at our hotel, then we hit the road once again! We stopped in Hot Springs, Arkansas to have lunch with a couple friends of my Dad at this nice little place called Cafe 1217 (interesting that the bar and cafe were both named after their addresses!) and I learned that Arkansas produces the most agriculture of any state, most of it being rice. Also, Hot Springs has the third largest small-town art circuit around. I didn't see any of it so I can't speak to its quality, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter if it's good or not. It means these people have a good time creating something and they want to share it. Nice.
And then, 8 hours and several cups of coffee later, we arrived home! It's going to be a rather hectic 9 days while I try and get everything ready to go for my trip -- wish me luck!
It was such a whirlwind and I was still in it halfway through the night. I left New York on such a high note, having been involved in a show with so many wonderful people, having realized how many wonderful people came to support me in it. As we drove away from the city I was having the bittersweet combination of loving and missing my dear friends in New York, and imagined all the crazy stories and funny trinkets I'll be able to bring to them. If any of you are reading this, please know how much I love you and carry you with me always.
We drove in shifts for 19 hours until we reached Memphis, only stopping for fuel and a quick breakfast outside Roanoke.
Memphis was awesome! We drove past Graceland, ate fried pickles at a touristy Elvis-themed restaurant with menu items such as the "Blue Suede Cheeseburger", drove over to Mississippi to see the G.I. Joe movie, then went to Bar 240 right next to our hotel and had $5 margaritas and a whole lot of fun singing karaoke.
The next morning I binged on continental breakfast food at our hotel, then we hit the road once again! We stopped in Hot Springs, Arkansas to have lunch with a couple friends of my Dad at this nice little place called Cafe 1217 (interesting that the bar and cafe were both named after their addresses!) and I learned that Arkansas produces the most agriculture of any state, most of it being rice. Also, Hot Springs has the third largest small-town art circuit around. I didn't see any of it so I can't speak to its quality, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter if it's good or not. It means these people have a good time creating something and they want to share it. Nice.
And then, 8 hours and several cups of coffee later, we arrived home! It's going to be a rather hectic 9 days while I try and get everything ready to go for my trip -- wish me luck!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Finally, some details!
OK, So I finally go the details of where I'm staying and what exactly I'll be doing during my time in Rabat!
I will be living with the Grellane family in the old part of the Rabat Medina (the medina is kind of the main part of town where the markets are and such). Mr. and Mrs. Grellane, their two children El Hachmi (23) and Chaimae (17) all live in the house with two dogs (yay!). Their grandmother often resides there as well. I will have my own room which I may sometimes have to share with another volunteer, and there is a room next to mine which also may be occupied by a volunteer.
I will be working at the Amal Shabab Takaddoum, a center for mentally and physically disabled children and young adults. My responsibilities will include supervising groups of 7-8 members of the center age 8-28. I can teach classes or just lead arts and crafts or game sessions. I hope I am able to get my French good enough to teach a theatre class and a yoga class. I'm thinking that since both those things are so physical, I can probably get by with more of a language barrier.
My friend Aaron took me to get a digital camera today and I am so thrilled about all the wonderful pictures I'll be using to document my activities!
I will be living with the Grellane family in the old part of the Rabat Medina (the medina is kind of the main part of town where the markets are and such). Mr. and Mrs. Grellane, their two children El Hachmi (23) and Chaimae (17) all live in the house with two dogs (yay!). Their grandmother often resides there as well. I will have my own room which I may sometimes have to share with another volunteer, and there is a room next to mine which also may be occupied by a volunteer.
I will be working at the Amal Shabab Takaddoum, a center for mentally and physically disabled children and young adults. My responsibilities will include supervising groups of 7-8 members of the center age 8-28. I can teach classes or just lead arts and crafts or game sessions. I hope I am able to get my French good enough to teach a theatre class and a yoga class. I'm thinking that since both those things are so physical, I can probably get by with more of a language barrier.
My friend Aaron took me to get a digital camera today and I am so thrilled about all the wonderful pictures I'll be using to document my activities!
Hello Blog!
So, I'm going to Morocco in a couple weeks to volunteer. It's kind of a big deal for me, and given my generation's attraction to technology I thought the best way to document my activities would be through this blog! I anticipate this will be part narrative for those of you who simply want to make sure I'm safe, and part gushy journal for myself. At any rate, stay tuned to see how April will rock the casbah!
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