"Peace Corps training is like no other training in the world, having something in common with college life, officer's training, Marine basic training, and a ninety-day jail sentence."  - Living Poor, by Moritz Thomsen.

After a particularly bad couple of days of darija learning (or lack thereof), I saw the above quote in a book my ustad had in the classroom.  "Also like pre-Engineering flunk out classes at Purdue" is what I would have added to the quote.  That was this morning.  And then I had a wonderful afternoon, and I recalled what seasoned Peace Corps volunteer Ron Blahusch and others have said again and again: "In the Peace Corps, you'll have some of your lifetime highs and lifetime lows, sometimes within the same day."  Today was one of those days.

This afternoon, I was able to teach my first English as a Second Language course as a Peace Corps Volunteer-in-training.  And it was so much fun!  How I've missed teaching!  I had a group of 9 young men between the ages of 16 and 20 - can you imagine?  They are a great group of guys who love to break dance, and we've been working with them helping them design t shirts to wear at dance competitions.  We'll also be filming a fairly professional video of them dancing around our little town.  

Since today we were scheduled to spray-paint designs on the t shirt uniforms, my lesson centered around spray paint, neighborhoods and graffiti.  Boys of the 'hood with bad attitudes and too much time on their hands.  The boys suggested break dancing as an alternative to vandalism and other negative outlets, my intended "moral of the story", so it went well, and the Peace Corps staff observing me thought so, too.  Whew.  Hopefully this will help make up for my second language challenges.

I say the English word, you spray paint the darija word.

Now a little bit of reading and discussion.

 

Ok, English class is over!  Let's get to work!

 Lights, camera, action!  We're ready to roll!

Peace Corps trainees traveled to Meknes for ongoing training.  Teachers and Moroccan staff also attended, and provided lively traditional entertainment at a couple of our meals.

We were on our own for dinner both nights, so Mal and I dined with new Peace Corps friends Steve and Jenny.  One restaurant served fascinating orange sculptures to accent their succulent cuisine.

At the end of training, we were fortunate to spend a couple of hours exploring the old medina with our younger friends.

After an intense three weeks of in-country cultural immersion and language learning, Peace Corps trainees were given leave for a portion of the weekend, and most of us headed to Fes for much-needed r&r.  How luxurious a heated room and warm shower can be - not to mention a few hours of privacy!  Mal and I enjoyed some couple time, although we did travel with fellow volunteers and were "kidnapped" by our teacher, Majid.  He introduced us to his gracious family, and we feasted on hrira (Moroccan soup).  His mother's was the best I've had yet.  An array of breads, pastries and candies accompanied the meal, along with coffee ns ns spiced with cinnamon.  We sat on pillows arranged around two low tables.

Present day Fes boasts wide boulevards and modern amenities.

The old medina of Fes is a world heritage site.  It was founded in the 9th century and served as the capital of the Kingdom of Morocco for more than 600 years.  It remains the country's cultural and spiritual center.

The oldest university in the world is within the old medina.

Berber weavers still operate the old looms and produce cloth of every color and texture.

Three tanneries operate within the old medina.  The oldest dates back 1,000 years.

The production of argan oil, the health and beauty aid in such demand now in the U.S, is also a labor intensive operation.

Musicians perform at the historic blue gate of the old medina.

Back in our host city now.  More snow expected on Tuesday.