Whoa is all I can start with. I have been doing activities and learning Arabic ever since I arrived. I have barely had a moments rest. Nevertheless, I feel very grateful to be in Morocco. It's an opportunity of a lifetime. Anyway, yesterday I was introduced to my host brother Rashid as well as his family. Never before have I met people who were so generous and openhearted. From the moment I met them, they have treated me as a son.
When I arrived in Rabat (about an hour and a half from Casablanca), I met my host family. Before leaving Bridges Academy, my school away from home, I learned that I had been accidently placed in a higher class than I was supposed to be in. The school was operating under the misapprehension that I could read and write in Arabic. I decided to learn the alphabet as well as how to write in a matter of days. Since yester night, I have learned the alphabet moderately well and am working on achieving an elevated writing level. I stayed up until 3AM last night doing that. 7 or 8 hours is a long time to study Arabic. Despite this, I feel like I'm making great strides already.
Before coming to Morocco, I originally thought that French would become a crutch for me and restrict my Arabic language skills. How wrong I have been! In the house, I speak a motley group of language. I mix French, English and Arabic together in even a single sentence. I could actually go without English but Rashid would like to improve his English. Otherwise, just Arabic and French would be spoken.
It's also worth mentioning the food/ vittles in Morocco. It's all very natural. Everyday I will probably be drinking ashay (Classical Arabic for tea) and some coffee. Both are aziz (delicious). Other common foods are birds tongue (a kind of grain), large flatbreads with comfiture and laughing cow cheese and yogurt.
Below are some pictures of my host family's apartment. Tomorrow I'll put up some pictures of my school and the exterior of the building where the apartment is located.
Beslama
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Rashid, my host brother. |
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The room Rachid and I share. |
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When entertaining many guests, this room is used. |
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The Kitchen |