Things to like

Ah, back in the world again. I will one day write I think a post about the fugue of the migraines, but I have to have a bit more distance…

Instead I was thinking this week of some of the reasons I enjoy living in Morocco:

The fact that my landlord this week has brought me shebekia (a cookie that is very very sweet and made with tons of honey and sprinkled with sesame seeds made as the special desert at Ramadan), and insisted I will need more and he will be over later this week!

The fact that one of the neighbor ladies brought me harira (the special Ramadan soup;tomato-based soup with lentils, chickpeas, cilantro, lemon, and pieces of meat) because apparently not only do the neighbors all know my comings and goings, but found out I fast during Ramadan – don’t ask me how, I have no idea!

The fact that surprises abound – I was walking, like you do, down by the new and lovely riverside park and noted some chap high up in one of the yellow contraptions that take them up to work on the wires. There was another chap who had come up to help and they were doing the kiss the cheeks greeting. I just found that endearing.

The fact that now that the Riverside Park is completed I can easily walk to the local Marjane, and observe the river as I go.

Episodes like this morning when I was trying to convey to the shopgirl that I wanted to buy some massage oil. One of them ‘got it’ after some miming and a French word here and there; and we were demonstrating to the other by massaging her back; she made clear she enjoyed the massage by asking for more. The three of us ended in giggles even though they had no oil.

Taking my DVD player into the nice chap on Digital Alley who said he would check the remote for me. The conversations got everything said, again with laughter, and he did fix the bloody thing. At the astronomical cost of 50 dhs. Oh yes.

The fact that the chap in the art gallery gives me a huge discount because I live in the Oudayas.

The fact that when I went to the post last week and was a bit turned around when trying to find the correct door to collect my package, the cleaning lady who had seen me go in and ask directions then walk about with that look on my face I get that says “Que?” and has proven handy on several continents; came out and took me by the hand like a two-year-old and led me around the corner to the correct door, smiling and laughing all the while.

The fact that no matter how my day is going I can cheer up by wandering about and seeing the beautiful faces of the children. This time of year the playing in the street below has changed from football to spinning wooden red tops. They toss them on the cobbles and then pick them up in the hand to spin. It’s a bit like dodging land mines really, except for the giggling.

The fact that for every nasty taxi driver there are twenty nice ones who go out of their way to be helpful.

The fact that the temperature is finally on the way DOWN!

The fact I love my little house with its spiraling staircase, cedar doors, glass ceiling, and double windows.

The hammam! The sheer luxury of it, and the incredible low price, as well as the fact I no longer have to have facials at the salon or pay for massages when the gym wears me out. The gracious treatment I receive at the salon.

What do you like about where you are living?

Ciao.