March 15, 2019 (Part Three)
Indeed, it was a day worth three entries! After our school visit, Miriem took us to her family home in the countryside outside of Casablanca. There her family treated us to a traditional Friday family meal of Moroccan couscous. Since I have dietary restrictions and cannot have gluten (a real issue in a country that loves its bread and couscous), I was given a special meal to share with Jaime, another Fulbright TGC who cannot eat meat other than fish. Despite being unable to partake of most of the food, I had far more than I could eat, and all of the hospitality I could ever need.
Hospitality in Morocco is a deeply ingrained tradition. Guests are welcomed, fed, and then fed some more, and then tea and dessert are served and gifts are bestowed. To top it off, the little country home was a delight, with an orchard of olive, orange, lemon and fig trees, beehives, peacocks, green grass, and fresh air.
Miriem’s family were gracious hosts, and I will always remember their home and their warmth. It was a long day capped off by a wistful bus ride back to Rabat, remembering all the special moments of the day and wondering what the next day would bring, as we all split off to our international field experience host sites.
Create to Learn 