A few weeks ago I received an email that I don't think anyone could have effectively prepared me for. It was from my 8th grade social studies teacher Joel(first names for teachers at BFCDS) , who I had not seen or heard from since the day I graduated 8th grade. It just so happened that he was coming to Morocco for a few weeks before he left for Mail, on his journey to Timbuktu. He asked if I'd be available to meet up, and given that I now cherish American interaction and that the summer has been primarily slow and sticky, I certainly was.
Although it was the epitome of a random visitation, it ended up being a great experience to hang out with a teacher from the past and get to know him as an adult. He spent 2 years teaching math in Tanzania when he was about my age so we had a lot to talk about. We spent the 4 days he was here exploring surrounding areas and relaxing and Tinejdad's greatest cafe, Cafe Ferkla, since there is not much more to comfortably do when it is 120 degrees outside. I am now very good friends with the owner of this cafe, and spend a great deal of time there as it is a perfect location to relax, read, play chess, teach English, learn Arabic, and justbe outside of my oven-like house when there is nothing else to do. Joel was also kind enough to be a guest speaker at my class for a day-my students loved meeting the teacher of their teacher(although I do believe he made my teaching skills look questionable next to his).
One place that we visited, which was a first for me as well, is a nearby dewar(small village) named Asrir. This is home to the old Jewish community of Tinejdad, which has been Jew-free since the late 1940's, when all of them were evacuated to Israel. The old Jewish "ghetto" is still present and inhabited by Berbers and some Arabs. The old Synagogue is still standing as well, along with a "cemetary" that holds the bodies of the Jews who once lived there (although our friend who was touring us called it a cemetary there are no actual graves present). It was interesting to see the remains of a different religion in such a strong Islamic society.Another recent discovery that I have made is a hotel pool in Errachidia(about an hour away) with a bar. Who would have thought that I could go swimming and drink a beer in the middle of the desert? One extra method to maintain one's sanity in the summer...
The most exciting thing to happen in Tinejdad since I have been here just took place this past weekend. The Tinejdad Culture Festival came through for 3 days, and thus actually provided something to do in Tinejdad. The festival included tents of co-operatives selling their products, which included carpets, baskets, paintings and more(the types of co-operatives that small business development PCV's works with), along with a huge live music performance each night. The music was that of different regions of Morocco, and consisted mainly of Ganawa (although there was also rap, Moroccan jazz, a break dance and martial arts show). The most amazing aspect of it all was the sheer amount of people that were in the Tinejdad centre for the performance- well more than 1,000 people each night, AND many of them were women. It was the first time I had ever seen more than 3 or 4 women out past 9pm, and mingling with men nonetheless. It was definitly the most home-like I have felt Tinejdad to be since I have being here.
In exactly one week I will be arriving in El Jadida for the start of summer camp, which for me will last for the entire month of August (I am working 2 two week long sessions). I will be teaching intermediate English in the first camp, and working a theatre club in the second. I am truly looking forward to working another camp, in that spring camp was probably the most fun I have had with work since being in Morocco, and being on the beach for a month seems incredibly necessary right about now.
I am also very close to being finished with the first issue(and hopefully not the last) of the Tinejdad Times. I have decided to create it using InDesign, as it allows me to do more of what I want to do, and will attach the PDF once I complete it.
Until next time...
