As I was walking across campus from the art room to the computer lab four years ago, I asked Nahla and Khnata: “Can you walk any slower? You two are doing the Moroccan Stroll”.  Nahla responded casually, “But, we are enjoying the moments on the way there Mister.  We’ll get there, there’s really no rush”.  All the while I was thinking about my agenda and what I wanted them to accomplish in the “C” lab today.  I suppose that I completely discounted what she said. 

Now I am sitting here at Sidi Rahal in an old blue camping chair, looking out over the grand blue-green Atlantic.  One hundred-plus high school students gather clique by clique: fraternity, sorority. Some of us observe and some chat, but mostly we hang out because that’s what we do.

Safiyyah (Moroccan-American) approaches. She has been here at the school for only 3 years, but she has made a great adjustment to our special hybrid American- School-in-Morocco social style. I ask her if she can describe what it is that we (the students) do best. “Just hanging out” she says without hesitation.

Today I sit for the fifth time at Sidi Rahal.  At least 30 of our students have their cameras, capturing the moments of the day for the annual Beach Day Photo Contest.   The fifteen winners will have their photos displayed in the Multi Purpose Room later this year, and will enjoy a big Pizza Bash.  Their work will be included in this year’s Yearbook.  

The high school math teacher Mr. Smith and I compare notes on students as we lounge on the beach observing the procession below: soccer, American football, soccer, swimming and volleyball games engage the majority, while at least forty share in our favorite activity: “Hanging out.” 

I see Paul walking and chatting with ….((( read in here  Adam L))) 

A group of students strolls past, shoulder to shoulder.  Lina, Amalya, Nada, Nizar, Dakir, Medhi, Maisson, Ibrahim, Waleed, Hajouji, Sofia and  Paul form a volleyball circle – no competition, just keep it going, hangin’ (white, pink, tan and almond skin in the sun.)

Later on, "FZ" sits with the dozen seniors as I approach “And so what’s the story of the day FZ?” “Today people are having fun - playing volleyball, swimming…. Everyone is interacting – no one is alone.  For example, these two.  (Referring to Amalya and Ghali , lying on towels next to hers)  They are not alone.  Only me, I’m alone .... talking with you  - Oh, ha ha” (as she realizes what she just said).

Hamza, FZ , Amalya and a few others walk to the cafe.  On the way I ask Hamza “what’s the story of the day?” “I haven’t discovered it yet”, he says. 

We order Sprite, Lavazza and Sidi Ali , and  park ourselves at the standing tables.  The proprietor is playing "Only You (And You Alone)" from 1955 by the Platters.  Leah (a new American student) lags behind.  The color changes.  It becomes more blue.  We talk about (God’s calling?)for 5 minutes as she finishes her Sprite. And then walk back to the group on the beach.

In my first year I could barely care who was who or what they were doing.  Today, I notice that most of the obnoxious, the entitled and the loud bunch has graduated or stayed home.  The day is tranquil, soft, sweet; the light is clear.  I know them, each one.  Nearly all have been in my classes since middle school.  It is a different time.  There is less discipline required; there is sweetness present. It is less complicated.

It was noon when I noticed there were now only four playing volleyball. Everyone else was sitting on towels in informal “salons.” Everyone was again talking, listening.  We were doing what we do best ...interacting, hangin’. Soon the freshmen would get to have their lunch.  

http://trelth.blogspot.com/

I still have to write the story about buying enough wine for a month (not enough, by the way) on the last day before Ramaden and will eventually write that story for the eager consumer...but everyday I am crowded. And, the wine story needs more quality time.

CROWDED....
Some easy issues were noun adjective order. But in some places he still used French terms and were more difficult to translate; particularly given that my French is K3. The word for Lavatory and basin were still in French and it was in Marble.. I wasn't sure what to say.

I finished just in time to start the next adventure.

So, afterward I spent almost 3-1/2 hours in town driving, with Local Mr. Computer-friend as navigator, between the petit taxis, the Citroëns, Peugeots, Hyundais Mercedes-Benz, baby-mopeds... and the donkey carts with assorted veggies, to get satellite supplies.

We drove to the outdoor market on the other side of town to get all of the pieces needed to install satellite TV for Mom (that's the excuse but its for Leslie and I too) although I am not a big TV fan ..it seems it could be fun, as we be able to get about 1500 worldwide channels. (another type of crowded).

Anyway we went to a really big outdoor market (Dar Bralif) which is a 2 km square souk (outdoor market) The stalls are semi-permanent; the gutter runs between them and is nicely filled with trash and mucky water. There was everything there: new, almost-new, used, and "black". It is super crowded with elbow to elbow people. (and quite fragrant both good and no so good) By the way its cash only here.

Satellite TV is not controlled other than you have to buy a dish and receiver and other misc parts to install it, all about $200.00 and then use you ol' TV or get a new one. There are no monthly fees but you can buy some chips for special channels that are encrypted. With about 50% free I am not too interested, since TV is pretty low on the list for me.

It was a circus. After we got the parts for the system, my friend decided to go (way too quickly) to see about a mini-iPod, and I followed, but he left me in the dust. I finally climbed up on a high-ground area and found him searching the crowd from about 30 meters up the way...he waited. And then I matched his steps, like a shadow.

Later he said in French "faite attention" as we returned to the satellite booth. I walked in his footsteps once again. I suppose that he is way too comfortable in that environment... and I was being way too polite...finally I just bumped in to people with little "pardon" and kept up.

The wonderful thing about Mr. Computer-friend is that if he says he'll arrive at 13:00, he is there at 12:55 and always has a wonderful smile. Although we communicate in mini-Arabic, mini-French and mini-English and lot of hand signals, it is affirming that we are making new friends.

Mr. Computer-friend and I returned to the house to unload. Voila!
After, this day, I settled for one of those "story" reds and spent the evening in the kitchen.

I am writing this the next day and before he will return ....in 10 minutes so I am off....

but then you knew that.
T


DAD! Write in this fashion more often! That was a very enjoyable read. Great story and I totally understand how your title relates to everything in your story. 
Love you, hope you got your power situation fixed!

SEPTEMBER 25, 2008 2:46 PM

Prior to May 8, 2008 go to this site: http://trelthmission.blogspot.com/