The elegance of rural life

Today I got to experience rural life in Morocco.  We lost both electricity (hence heat and lights and most importantly, internet) and water.  So we were freezing in the house and I was supposed to do computer work with the girls and Gretchen and I couldn't check out e-mail or wash our bodies or even see down the several flights of stairs from our rooftop room to the kitchen (to have a cold breakfast).  When we got downstairs, all was calm.  There is where inshallah comes in handy. We just waited out the day in our gloves and coats and ofcourse, it came back on about 4 PM. But it will probably go out again tomorrow.


Today was wonderful with the girls.  They are so enthusiastic, particularly about English that they wanted extra time scheduled.  I felt so loved :-).  Being here is already so much more than I imagined.  The girls are like sponges and each one is sweeter than the next. It breaks my heart to think that some of them will be married off to some old guy when they finish school....such a waste.

It will be hard when they are away for the weekend though, and I am not looking forward to long periods of time in the house by myself since Latifa (the housemother) goes to Marrakesh each weekend.  Met some of the Board members today and they invited me to visit them in Marrakesh where they run a riad so I might do that.  Also thinking of a possible revisit to Essouaria for the weekend.  We will see.


Gretchen and I went for a walk up to the incredible Richard Branson hotel about 45 minutes up the road.  When I hit the lottery I am coming back to Morocco....an apartment in Essouaria and a weekend at this place.  Elegance beyond belief.  For some reason can't post pictures to this blog....will look for other options.