See You Again

Salam!

My final week in Morocco was busy and bittersweet. Catching a high fever, my work for Resilient Communities was pushed behind for an entire day. With only a week left, losing a whole day seemed as if I was losing an entire week! It was a little stressful considering I still had tasks to complete outside of my work for Resilient Communities. In addition, there were so many people I wanted to see before leaving the country, there were souvenirs I wanted to grab for my family and friends back in America, and all my belongings still remained unpacked. However, I was able to wrap up my work for Resilient Communities, completing my workshop and two design proposals alongside other pre-departure items.

The hardest part was saying goodbye to the locals I built a strong and lasting relationship with while in the country. These people have provided me with warm welcomes, generous gestures, enjoyable company, and deep conversations. They taught me about and shared with me their culture and its practices. When I first came into the country, my friends supported me as I learned to get around. Unfamiliar with the country's food, I was welcomed into the homes of people I just met and fed until my stomach was satisfied. When Eid Al Adha arrived, I was given the chance to celebrate with a family. When time slowed, my friends introduced me to new places. These people have given me an experience that I could not have been exposed to if they were not around. As I started to create a home in them and the country, it was time for me to go. Stopping from house to house, I gave my hugs and said my farewells. Tears could not hold me back in Morocco but they were shed anyways in hopes for my return to the lovely country.

Leaving Sala Al Jadida, I spent the two days before my flight in Casablanca. With problems in my booking at Melliber Casablanca Hotel, I ended up getting upgraded to Gold where the package included a balcony view out towards Hassan II Mosque. Hassan II Mosque is the largest mosque in Africa, ranking the 3rd largest in the world. Its minaret, the tall slender tower with the purpose of calling Muslims to prayer, is the tallest in the world. Walking through the mosque was breathtaking. The impressive use of Moroccan and Islamic artisanship in its marble, wood carvings, natural stones, and mosaics created this beautiful picture by the waters of the Atlantic. Inside, the rows for prayers were expansive. An incredible fact about the mosque is that the government was not able to fund the whole construction which was around 585 euros, or around 635 dollars. The locals in Morocco contributed to the financial responsibilities through donations. The remainder was funded through donations by Western and Arab countries.

My flight home was 7:00 am CET. Anxious about missing my flight and unexperienced with international procedures, I took the free shuttle that comes through the hotel I was staying at every hour and arrived at the airport four hours early. Indeed, three hours was enough. During my time alone in the airport and on the plane, I pondered upon my time in Morocco. It was a short time, but the experience was rewarding and the memories will be treasured. It is heartbreaking to think about the time needed to be passed before I get to see my Moroccan friends again. As time moves on, some things will change, but others may stay the same. As a student, time and money is not always on our side. However, I will stay in contact with my friends and make efforts to return!

In the end, I hope to pursue Morocco again. I have come to adore the country and everything that comes with it, including its culture and its people. It has become my home away from home.

See you again! Insha'Allah ("God willing" in Arabic).