I have recently experienced a wide range of experiences in Morocco. I was transported from time and place to, well, I'm not really sure where. Let me attempt to explain...
Thursday I attended the henna party at my host house. The evening progressed normally with Moroccan tea and raif (these pancake things eaten with honey) as we waited for the henna. The evening took a surreal and unexpected turn when the dresses came out. Evidently, this wasn't a henna party for another couple of hours but first we had to dress the part. We, meaning 6 girls and Will, were to play Moroccan princess dress-up. We were each given an elaborate sparkly caftan to wear. We took pictures saying how Moroccan we looked, but the dress up party wasn't finished yet. Out came the jewels, meaning a crown for each girl and sparkly jeweled necklaces and earrings.
We take more pictures until we realize that, no, we also need makeup. Makeup, in this sense, means very colorful eyeshadow and even redder lipstick, compliments of my host sister. The evening came to a breaking point of laughter when our one male of the group was told to wear his outfit. Out comes Aladdin, complete with cape. Consistent with the Islamic allowance of polygamous marriages, Will became the groom with 6 lovely brides. The whole evening, about 5 or 6 hours total, was a myriad of ups, downs, and confused looks until orders were given to wear something, not wear something, makeup, henna, food, etc. All good fun and good memories. The henna came out in the end, fear not, and the students had a wonderful time being decorated in the traditional Moroccan style. Moroccan weddings are very elaborate and we were privileged to get to have a taste of the preparation that a young Moroccan bride would undergo on this very special day.
Saturday turned out to be a surprising experience as well. After meeting a host brother I hadn't met before, I decided I needed to get out of the house and explore a bit. I called around and found out that a couple friends were on a train to Casablanca and headed to an art showing. "Come Jess!" They said. "Ok," I said, I and hopped on the hour-long train to Casablanca. Once there, we ate in a very themed Chinese restaurant. I felt transported to another day and age, one of 3-D Asian art, red walls, and a Buddhist temple structure, all this complete with Genesis artwork as well. We left our little hide-away to find the art exhibit. At this point I found out that there is also a music festival in Casa which we will be attending. The two events were being shown together as a combination of street art and music. I experienced the graffiti scene of Morocco, as well as music combining gnaoua music, spanish music, flamingo dancers, dread locks, hip hop, electro, and who knows what else mashed together. I danced my little heart out in the midst of the strangest company I have thus encountered in Morocco. Where they have been hiding, I don't know. The music brought us all out of the woodwork.
Conclusion. I am coming home in two weeks, enjoying the randomness that is Morocco, and planning on trekking up Mount Toubkal this week. Pray for my health, safety, and to ward off any altitude sickness (since I am climbing the highest mountain in north Africa). Continue to pray that I shine as a light here.
Love to you all. Miss you!
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