While many of you were celebrating an Easter weekend finding your Easter baskets and eating marshmellow and chocalate bunny rabits, I was riding camels and climbing endless piles of sand as far as my eyes could see...
It was an experience unlike any other. Sure I have visited the dunes in Michigan and if I remember correctly when I was about 4 or 5 I got to sit on a camel at the zoo... Oh joy... But this recent journey of mine into the Sahara outside of Zagora was something I will never forget. I spent 2 peaceful nights under clear skys lit by a full moon and bright stars. I sat on a mountain of sand looking out over an ocean of the same. It reenergized me to say the least.
The first night we ate our tajine dinner in the food tent and made way into the rolling hills of sand. We stumbled upon some dry brush and the remains of a dead tree. We decided to put it out of it's misery and make a fire. It was GLORIOUS! okay well maybe not glorious but indeed entertaining. We shared good times, sharing stories of our experiences thus far. I hope to make the journey one more time over my next 20 months in Morocco.
Things have been going well for me in Morocco. Sure there is an occasional moment where I miss the good ole US of A but it will be there when I get back. Work is moving along nicely too. I am working with a Cooperative called Toudart Iwsta (translates into Life of Looms) the women hand make rugs. It is quite remarkable how they create the patterns. Right now I am working with the President on creating a business card for them, which will hopefully allow them to create stronger relationships with their clients. Also in hopes of saving them some money I am painting a sign for them to put on the street so people in the city become more aware of the new Cooperative's presence. Later I hope to be able to bring them larger orders internationally or possible funding, but this Cooperative is still new... swiya b swiya (little by little)
Recently, while I was in Rabat, my counterpart (President of the Cooperative) and I met with a company called Mocary. The carpets they had were amazing. They had different styles and patterns from all over the country and my understaning is they sell a large amount internationally. My counterpart and I met with one of the people in charge and things went very well. After a 2 hour meeting over tea, the man from Mocary showed interest in helping the Cooperative. He said he would allow women of the Cooperative to be trained there to make different more complex patterns, as well as possibly giving wool and looms. It was great though I must say. He even had one of his sales people take us out to lunch and drive us back to the bus station. The president of the Cooperative told me on our bus ride back she felt like she was dreaming. Hopefully this relationship with Mocary will continue. I'll keep you updated.
Peace out
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