Having been in Morocco for over two months now, I’ve been able to do some reflecting about my experience so far.
These past weeks have been both a challenge and a true reaffirmation of who I am and what I can take.
I, along with my peers, have formed a love-hate (although majority love) relationship with this country and its peoples. It is so exciting, overwhelming, and foreign — all aspects which we simultaneously cherish and mildly resent.
The street harassment, the omnipresent threat of getting ripped off, the conservative culture- all have provided a test of will, at times. Living here hasn’t been easy. Especially when seeing photos of people in European countries partying the time of their life away – and getting a taste of that life when on break in Spain. Living in Morocco isn’t free drinks at bars and high fashion and luxury and comfort- but it is ultimately rewarding.
I feel like if I can live four months in Morocco, I can live anywhere.
This dream has blossomed in me lately – of a two month post-grad trip backpacking from Thailand through to India. A year ago this wild idea would have remained just a dream. I don’t know how to do something like that. What if it’s scary or too foreign? But, I know how wide my limits are now. I know how to conduct myself in different situations.
I know how to avoid rowdy men in the street, how to convince a local you respect the culture, how to bargain, or how to deal with a cab driver trying to charge you 5x the normal rate. If I can do this with some confidence now, I can do anything.
And that, ultimately, is worth every minute.
Until next time my curious-minded friends,
الاء
