Waves of Flowing Sand

I promised a "Desert Part 2" but never delivered. Things moved so fast that there wasn't really the time to write it. So let me sum it up for those interested parties (hey there mom and dad! I am surprised you are still reading!)

We took our good old mini bus to the edge of the desert where our camels awaited. And by "camels" I mean 2 camels. There were 10 people on our trip, which meant we were two camels short.

The leaders of our trip didn't seemed concerned at all, but one of our trip mates who spoke Arabic fluently could understand them talking about how they couldn't get any more camels. After another 30 minutes of watching the sun sink lower and lower in the sky, we were getting agitated. This whole trip revolved around a sunset camel ride through the Sahara. So where were our camels?

Instead of taking the time to explain whatever the problem was, they ordered us into a car. I refused and asked for my money back. Many this is a very American move, but I spent well over a day and a half in a car (almost non-stop!) and the last thing I wanted to do was GET IN A CAR. After more arguing it was clear they didn't care at all (who is surprised here?) The next bit of fun news is that eight of us, plus a driver, were getting in a 5 passenger car - 2 lucky people got the camels while we were crammed in like sausages. I will admit, my mood was not the best at this time. I tried to see the positive side, but being in the middle and not able to sit upright, it wasn't the most comfortable journey.

Eventually, we got close enough the the camp we would be staying at that they could meet us with the camels. The angry driver dropped us off, threw our things out of the car, and left. There were no camels in sight and we were stranded in the desert. So what did we do? Take pictures of course! The sun was about to set, and I sure as heck wasn't going to miss it.

            

After a picture session, we waited around, hoping for camels. After another 15 minutes or so, we saw a camel line coming in from the distance. Once they arrived we hopped on and headed in for the camp. It was dark very quickly after the sun went down, and we could soon see stars appearing in the sky. After a while I could make out the big dipper and a million other stars. Without light pollution it is incredible to look at the sky at night. I sang a bit to myself, and one of our Moroccan travelers sang a beautiful song in Arabic. By the time we arrived in camp we were all in a much better mood, but still quite tired.

They gave us a delicious meal that they would normally eat as Berbers - a bit like Ethiopian because it was a communal meal, but less spicy and more meaty with rice. It was a nice way to finish a long day and it was already getting quite cold. We wrapped up and started a bonfire, listened to music, and watched the Moroccans dance. Eventually Emily and I were too cold to stay outside any longer so we snuggled onto our not-so-comfortable mattresses and put on every piece of clothing we had, and pulled on the 6 blankets before falling into a difficult sleep. 

 

The next morning, I woke up and was a bit confused. We were supposed to have been roused by the staff, but it was the other people staying in our tent who woke us. Apparently we had been forgotten about, and everyone else was awake and running around. Emily and I blearily packed our things (but left most of the layers on) and went directly to our camels. They put us back on and we marched out - we had already missed the sunrise! Luckily we still got some lovely pictures, and enjoyed the hour and a half back to our van. We then got to look forward to over 12 hours in a van to get back to Marrakech. The highlight was the snow on the pass! We were soon back to our destination, jumped on a train to Casablanca, slept for 4 hours before flying out. What an adventure!

Birthday Wishes

Lately I feel like things have been a bit more crazy than normal. After my birthday, we now have just 7 weeks before summer vacation. And while that is amazing (who doesn't love a whole summer off?) I am stressed with all that I must finish before school is over. On the other side of that, I can't wait for it to be summer. It's almost like I am living for my Fridays but dreading the constant onward march of the days. So which is it? I ask myself most days. Do I want it to be summer, or do I want more time in school? I really have no idea. Next week is another little mini break for us - Thursday and Friday off for Ascension. Its like a little mini holiday before the real holiday. 


Summer in a way has already arrived. It is 30*C (86*F!) and still only the beginning of May. With this incredible heat the children are exhausted and hot - and so are the teachers! I just spent the last hour sitting on my sun soaked patio reading and drinking a coldish beer. Well it was cold for about 5 minutes, then the sun started to boil it. Hello summer! I've heard this weather won't last, which is good, because by now I have decided I am not quite ready for summer.


Last weekend was my birthday, which I wrote a bit about. I had a nice moment the day after my birthday, when my friend Becky had made me a Recess PB cake - which was amazing. She lit candles and everything, something that doesn't happen often as you get older.

 I tried to think of a wish, but what could I wish for? I am living in a gorgeous apartment in a beautiful country. I have amazing friends scattered throughout the world, I am married to my perfect guy, and I get to teach amazing kids every day! So what does the person who is perfectly happy with for. I came up blank and just blew out the candles. But this year, I've decided to wish for: 


1) Good health for my family, friends, and myself
2) Happiness for those I love most
3) A little reduction in stress (my grad degree is almost over!)


I think those are nice wishes, but I can't see anything getting better next year. Well, maybe if my French improved a little I would like that. So what would you wish for if it was your birthday?

The Other Side of 25

I can't believe it is already May 5th - My birthday! It's the first year I am beginning to feel a little old. For the first year of my life I have a "real" job, I am married, cooking dinner, cleaning the house, and thinking about buying a house in the next few years, then kids soon to follow. Gasp, I am growing up. I am closer to 30 than 20 for the first time. I will admit I am the youngest teacher at my school, and most of my coworkers just laughed when I told them I was turning 26. "You're still such a baby!" they say. Don't get me wrong, I KNOW I am not old, but I a getting old. I make old person sounds when I sit down. OOF. When I travel I get annoyed by people who are slow and I would prefer a comfortable place to stay. I remember a time when I was okay with sleeping in bunk beds and on trains, eating tuna from cans and loaves of bread and at this moment that is not appealing. I want comfort and ease and sometimes routine. When I travel for a few weekends in a row, all I look forward to is a nice morning snuggling in bed, drinking my tea and relaxing on my balcony. Is this part of getting old?

So now that I'm a bit older, I wonder what next year will bring. Will I feel a little older, or will I still want to go out and explore? Will I get more entrenched in my routines and my job, or will I still find time to do the things I love and  things that keep me young? I look forward to this time next year.... what things will come?