Of the many things we have done in Morocco, one of my (Ashley's) favorite times has been Wednesday afternoons at the Churchill Club. Here, my mentor facilitates a conversational English class. Moroccan women gather at this 'club' (social club of the American League of Casablanca with an odd name), read stories and/or articles in English, and then discuss the contents. Last week the ladies found themselves in a pretty heated discussion about human rights issues in Morocco and abroad. This class is a way for them to practice their English and an opportunity for me to learn more about life in Morocco, to practice a bit of Arabic, and to laugh. These women are a hoot!! They are also incredibly intelligent. It's amazing (and convicting) to hear these women easily switch between French, Arabic, and English in the same sentence, along with Dutch and German for a few of them.
These are not your typcial Moroccan women. They are the 'Vanderbilts' and 'Kennedys' of Moroccan society. Their husbands are politicians and lawyers. Their children are educated abroad in Europe or the US. One member's husband served as the Moroccan Ambassador to Egypt for a number of years. She has never ridden a train or in a taxi (which is insane because the taxi and train systems here run quite well and are the most common method of transportation). Meaning, someone has driven her everywhere she has ever wanted to go. Remarkably (for those of you who know a bit about Arab culture) one of the members has chosen not to marry and is herself a distinguished law professor. Although they might not be typical in regards to economic status, they certainly exemplify the typical Moroccan warmth and hospitality.
