Sunday 30 September 2007

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.

13 comments:

James Higham said...

What do like about where you are living?

Seclusion. Hope the head's better, m'lady.

lady macleod said...

my lord

It is better, but not enough so that I don't leave out words eh?

Seclusion is good.

thank you for coming by.

Ian Lidster said...

You make it sound quite heavenly and inviting, Lady M. and it is a visit I've always wanted to make, and perhaps will. I know I love Moroccan food, and when I was living briefly in Grenoble last autumn, I spent much of my time in the Moroccan/Algerian neighborhood that was right next to our hotel. Loved spending time there in the market, etc. Always found the people much more gracious and friendly than the French were.

What do I like about where I live, the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island? Sometimes I don't quite frankly, and can find the smaller community stifling, but largely I do.

I know the community and the players, both good and bad, due to years of newspaper work.

It's scenically beautiful. The air is fresh, the ocean is right at hand, and there are even some very fine restaurants.

It's a significant cultural centre and boasts as residents such writers as Alice Munro, among others.

Some world class painters and sculptors live here.

Even though I grew up in Vancouver, and have also spent much time in large centres -- I love London, and know it well, for example -- I prefer the accessibility of a smaller community.

There, that should do.

Mopsa said...

Migraine - yuck - get better soon. What do I like about my patch of Devon? Beauty. Peace. Stars. The house, the farm, the lanes. The people. The space. The freedom. The fact my dogs can sit with me whilst I work.

jmb said...

How wonderful the Moroccan people sound and they have certainly made your time there memorable.
I think they know that you appreciate them and respect them and their culture so a few language difficulties are minor in the scheme of things.

Well you know what I like about Vancouver, I talk about it so much in my blog. What I don't like is the wet weather, today a very good example.
regards
jmb

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Nice post, Lady M. I am wondering if shebekia is related to Sicilian cobaica, which is also made from honey and sesame seeds and the latter were brought here by the Arabs. What a kind cleaning lady who helped you at the post office. Have a good trip.

zvix said...

nice day lad M.I like my mates in my neibourhood without them i do not how i would spend the valuable ramadan evenings.

lady macleod said...

ian

A vivid description indeed. I look forward to seeing your part of the world.

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

mopsa

Beautiful! That description makes me want to book a flight.

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

jmb

And I am looking forward to seeing it all!

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

welshcakes

I should think it is possible the deserts are related.

I hope your trip is grand as well.


thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

welshcakes

I should think it is possible the deserts are related.

I hope your trip is grand as well.


thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

youness

It's grand that the thing you like best about your neighborhood are your friends.

thank you for coming by.