A Street in Marrakech

So, we're living with a Moroccan family, and it has been a great experience so far. We moved in on Monday night (June 1), and I think we're staying for two weeks (until Sunday June, 14th). We're living with these folks for two reasons: (1) to learn Moroccan Arabic a bit better and (2) to live within this country's culture and understand what day-in and day-out life is like for everyday Moroccans. We're definitely getting a lot better at speaking and listening. I (Ben) ordered 1 litre of Pepsi, two Cokes, and a chocolate bar today...all by myself. Of course, I've made a fool of myself so many times: I called myself a donkey, told someone I had a husband, misordered at restaurants, and called my host-mother Stephen Segal (no joke).

But all of this is beside the point (sort of). The home we're staying in is located in the part of Marrakech called the old medina (old city). It's where a large part of lower-middle-class Moroccans live, and it's very much a non-tourist place.

There are three daughters (one is married and no longer in the house) and one son in the family. The mother's name is Jamilla and the father's name is Abdellatiff. This is the youngest daughter, Ikram. (She knows how cute she is.)



This is Mamma Jamilla. We're sitting in the living room, which is covered in beautiful blue ceramic tiles. She is very kind.

Here's a view from the roof.


In case you were wondering about our exact living situation, it's not so much like this...


But, this picture does hang over our heads and promise us (or maybe tempt us with) more comfortable days. When we're lonely, we also know that we have a very good friend: a sheen picture of Daffy Duck also hangs on the wall. Here is our room:


Ashley took this picture from the door. We have a table (to the left) and two mattresses (sort of). Lunch is the big meal of the day, and our family serves it between 2:30 and 3:30pm everyday. Dinner is usually at 9:30pm or 10:00pm.