And So It Begins...Again

Today marks the end of two things: Ramadan and the first week of new staff orientation.

    We have both been very busy during orientation. Since Dave was obliged to go back to work in order to help oversee new staff orientation, Nicole decided to volunteer her time to help HR with various tasks during orientation. Among other mundane tasks, she created welcome baskets for all of the new teachers and organized a potluck which was ultimately canceled thanks to the apparent unpredictability of lunar holidays. Dave was more heavily involved in leading group tours into the city, namely in the black market region of Casablanca. We have both really enjoyed our time in getting to know the new staff members.
    Jokingly, this years new staff group could be referred to as the ideal stage for "The Bachelor". There are two married couples joining the GWA staff, and then 21 beautiful, single girls. With Dave's eligible, good-looking brother Steve coming to visit us in just a few weeks, we think his odds are pretty good. ;)

    In other news, Nicole has pretty much mastered stick-shift driving in Casablanca. Recently, she ventured into the French market, the furthest she has ever driven, and did not die. Nor did she stall or engage in any heated road rage "fights" (though she did come close once). As proof that she is such a competent Moroccan driver, Nicole got pulled over for the first time this week for speeding. Her understanding of French/Arabic has improved so well that she understood every bit of what the cop said to her. She probably could have responded in French pretty adequately as well; however, she strategically pretended not to understand and played the part of the "dumb American who only speaks very fast, incomprehensible English" perfectly. As a result, she got off easily with a mere warning and drove back home thrilled about the experience. :)
     Admittedly...the experience will not be so thrilling if it continues to happen more frequently. One of our good friends here, who has lived in country for 6 years, has been pulled over by the police over 150 times. If we recall correctly, he's only paid bribes/tickets about 5 times. While he does hold an impressive record, neither of us has any ambition to compete with that...

& the first day of school is August 28th. We're excited!!

-David & Nicole

Ramadan

 We have lived in Morocco for two years now... so it's high time for a "lesson" on Moroccan culture:

    Ramadan is an obligatory, Holy fast for Muslims. From sunrise to sunset, Muslims refrain from consuming food or drinking liquid (Conservative Muslims also abstain from sexual activity). The hundreds of cafes and restaurants that are typically filled with men sipping Moroccan mint tea and smoking cigarettes are all closed during the month of Ramadan (during the day at least). Every day, the fast is broken at sunset with a giant feast called "ftir". A large meal is also eaten just before sunrise.
     The purpose of this month-long fast is multifaceted: It offers an opportunity for self reflection, and it is meant to draw Muslims closer to God (Allah). Devout Muslims tend to renew their dedication to prayer during the month of Ramadan, particularly on the final day of Ramadan (which is known as "The Night of Power"). The Night of Power signifies the holiest day of the year, as it marks the day upon which the Qur'an was first revealed to the prophet Mohammad. It is said to be the day on which it is guaranteed that God (Allah) will hear and answer your prayers.
    We hope that this time of fasting and praying does indeed draw Muslims closer to God...

    As expats living in a Muslim country during Ramadan, we do face several "inconveniences". Most restaurants are closed, traffic rage tends to intensify proportionately to hunger pains, and store hours fluctuate to accommodate the new feasting (and sleeping) times. Simultaneously however, Ramadan does offer expats the luxury of empty beaches (Muslims typically do not go to the beach while fasting since they cannot drink) and excellent internet speed in the morning since most everyone sleeps the day away.
    While it is not necessary as foreigners to fast, we have chosen to show our respect for Ramadan by refraining from eating/drinking in public. We dine behind closed shutters and graciously accept the fitr feast given to us at sunset every day by our landlord. -We actually love some of the traditional Ramadan treats, especially chebakia, harira, and sellou.
     While science predicts that the next crescent new moon will come next Thursday (Thus signifying the final fitr feast and the end of Ramadan), we must pretend to have no knowledge of Ramadan's end until the actual moon sighting. Inshallah...the end is near.

-David & Nicole