Transition to Morocco

Salam ("Peace" in Arabic; Common greeting in Morocco)!

My travels started on May 19th at 9:30 am EST. After having a nutritious breakfast, my family drove me to the John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) in Columbus, Ohio, where I said my heart-aching goodbyes-for-now to my family. The furthest I have ever journeyed away from my family was a 10-hour drive to New York City. Traveling a distance of around 9 hours in flight only to Morocco, I am surely going to miss my family yet again.

Going to a foreign country alone for the first time, I was excited yet nervous. Nevertheless, I checked in, passed security, and got to my gate in time for departure. My flight took off around 2:00 pm and landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City around 4:00 pm for my connecting flight. After deplaning, I took a shuttle to Terminal 1 where all the international aircrafts were located. Already having gone through the boarding process once, the transition to my gate was fairly easy regardless of the large size of the airport in comparison to CMH. My five-hour long layover gave me time to go purchase a spicy chicken fajita panini and get some work done on my laptop before departure. Around 8:15 pm, passengers were called to board Royal Air Maroc and I found my seat near the window with a packaged pillow and blanket. The plane departed around 9:00 pm. Getting comfortable, I greeted the three girls next to me. Conversing with Yashna, Sonia, and Dina, I found them to be very kind and outgoing people. Although I only got to sleep for the last hour of the flight, the entertaining conversations and laughter were definitely worthwhile. We landed at Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) in Casablanca, Morocco, on May 20th around 9:00 am CET, around 5 hours ahead of Columbus, Ohio. The girls and I exchanged contacts in hopes to meet again during our stay.

After going through customs, I picked up my bags from the luggage carousel and located a global currency exchange kiosk where I exchanged some United States Dollars (USD) for Moroccan Dirhams (MAD), the currency used in Morocco. The exchange is approximately 1 USD to 9-10 MAD, changing daily. I made my way to the train booth and purchased a 90 MAD ticket for Rabat. The boarding process was chaotic. As people came off the train, a crowd pushed their way through with their luggages as they were to be kept by your side. Two men on the train assisted everyone in pulling up the luggages from the platform. After boarding, I found a seat in my assigned cabin. There were large windows to spectacular views in front of the seating that faced each other. Looking out these windows, I saw expansive land with crops and goats as well as areas crowded with residential buildings. There were glimpses of commercial areas with lots of energetic activity and commotion. Aside from the views, there were people speaking in a variety of languages, including Darija and French. Although I could not understand the languages, I secretly wished to be able to hold a simple conversation with the people here soon. Around half an hour into the ride, I got off at Casa Voyageurs for my transfer to Rabat Ville. Misguided by language barriers, but with good intentions, I barely made it onto my train. I found myself with my luggages between two cars of the train. Confused with the seating assignment, a kind man took me to my cabin a few cars over after looking at my ticket. The cabin was almost full with two lines of passengers facing each other, its own window and table, and overhead shelving for luggages. I sat across this man who helped me hold my large luggage so as to not bump into people passing through the narrow pathway through the car. I felt like I was in Harry Potter when this man with a trolley cart full of sandwiches and beverages rolled down the pathway, stopping at each cabin. At Rabat Ville, I got off the train.

Stepping out of the train station, I was fascinated by the busy shops, people sipping on their beverages outside of cafes, people talking as they made their way to unknown destinations, and vehicular activity along the streets. It felt foreign yet homey. It took me around 15 minutes to walk to the taxi station across from Old Medina. I saw curiosity rise in the people who caught sight of me. Coming up to me, many asked of my originality. Out of habit, I was cautious yet it was exciting to share my first words with the Moroccans! Costing 10 MAD per person, my taxi took off after the seats were filled. I enjoyed the ride, taking a first glimpse into the area in which I will be visiting most often due to shortness of travel from my place of stay! Finally arriving in Sala Al Jadida, I found my way to my host family's place. I will be staying there until my lease starts at my own apartment nearby. At the door, Aouatif, my supervisor's mother-in-law, greeted me.

Jet lagged, I fell asleep for some time after settling in and taking a shower where I had to turn on the gas for the water to be heated! Later that evening, I met Salsabila (Salsa), my supervisor's wife. Salsa and Aouatif were both so sweet and hospitable as Moroccans are known to be! I concluded my day under warm covers.