a few updates

It has been a while since I have posted something. Things have been going well. I don't have many complaints about the country. I am living better off than alot of people in my village. I have running water, electricity, a nice bed, and a family that doesn't bother me much. I have had moments where I miss my family and friends a great deal and I get slightly lonely and I feel as though I have no one. It's difficult seeing the tight knit relationships in my host family and I sometimes feel as though I am out of place. As time progresses things get better and I am able to handle certain situations differently than I would handle them in the States.

Since the last time I posted nothing serious has happened. I went to the Hamman (public bath) for the first time and it was a nice experience. It was all women. We wore underware no bras and spent about 2 hours there utilizing their hot water and steam rooms. I had around 10 buckets of water surrounding me and it was a process. I went with 3 other PCT's and my host sister and another sister of a volunteer. The experience was rewarding and I would definitely go back. Another thing that was different for me was the fact that I washed my hair at the Hamman and it was of course a totally different texture from everyone around me and all I could do was laugh. It was so difficult maintaining my hair that I am ready to shave it bald lol

Another thing that happened was the fact that above my bed there is a photo of my host brother which is somewhat creepy but funny. I dont know if they are trying to marry us or what. Everyone in the city knows my name. I recently found out that he was 23 years old.

Another tragic experience that occured is water from the out house "bitlma" Turkish Toilet splashing in my face. I was so upset that I wanted to run home and cry. I dont want to relive the experience so I would end the story with that!

I am having communication problems and I am dealing with the fact that I cannot speak with some people as often as I would like. People in Morocco feed us so much. I eat around 5-7 times a day. My diet is filled with tons of Carbs and Sugar!! I thought that I would have came to Morocco and lost weight but by the look of things these first few months I am heading towards freshman 15 lol.... With stress, loneliness, and other things lacking food is my coping mechanism!!!