The Mul-Hanut

A bit of Darija for you. A mul-Hanut is a shopkeeper. (Hanut = shop and if you add "mul" in front of a word it means you own it... For example: Dar = house so a mul-dar is a landlord)

Every morning I walk down my steps out my door and fifty feet across the street to the store. Here I buy 1 bread, 2 eggs, and 2 cheese (not real cheese... Laughing Cow). I do this every morning. Rain or Shine. Sleet or Snow. Just like the U.S. Post Office. Consequently, I have gotten to know the mul-hanut very well. He is a great man, very friendly. I always have some sort of chat with him in the morning. Additionally, he always tries to use some english when I'm there. He has since learned bread, eggs, and cheese, but is always trying out some new phrases.

Last week, on monday morning I reluctantly left my house. It was freezing cold, windy, and rainy. However, I needed my food. I get cranky if I don't have food and I didn't want to have a cranky day... those are the worst. When I arrived at the hanut (granted only 50 feet from my door) the mul-hanut saw that I was cold and invited me behind the counter to share some warm coffee, bread, and fresh olive oil with him. It was just what the doctor ordered. The coffee ran through my veins and served as the equivalent of a shot of vodka in the middle of a russian winter. The bread an olive oil were a nice change of pace from my regular breakfast routine. In addition to offering me food the mul-hanut changed the t.v. channel he was watching the the BBC english news! It was amazing. The first english news program I've seen since I arrived. I sat with the mul-hanut for an hour watching the t.v, talking, and getting warm.

When the news started repeating I thanked him and grudgingly made my strenuous journey 50 feet across the road to my house. I was done for the day. Safi! I intentionally built relationships, cross cultured, practiced my language, and bought food. All in one stop! It was the closest thing I've come to a full shopping experience (like costco) since I arrived in this country.

I've also included some pictures of the Dar Chebab I'm working at. Enjoy! Happy February.

From the outside.

My Classroom!

A Rather Large Banana

I went to the souk this monday in order to purchase some fruits and vegetables; however, I never thought I would encounter the largest banana I have ever seen. I was rather taken aback when I first saw it. In fact, you might say, I was scared of it. The banana could easily be used as a weapon. However, I felt compelled to buy this mammoth sized fruit. You could say that the spirits moved me.

When I got back to my house I ran into a problem. What should I do with the banana. Surely cannot eat it... not yet. First I have to take a picture of it!

OH MAN THIS IS HUGE!

To give you a better idea of the size. I took a picture of the banana in front of my face. It practically covers it. Additionally, for those of you who play bananagrams, I tried to put the banana in the bananagrams case and it did not fit. It is far to big.

After marveling at the size I continued to think about what I should do with this banana. One of the first thoughts that came to mind was BANANAPHONE!!! "Ring ring ring ring, ring ring ring ring, bananaphone." I wonder if Maroc Telecom offers service for them?????

Despite pondering for hours I have still not figured out what to do with this banana. Currently it is sitting next to my oranges in my fruit basket. However, even after hours of thinking it still brings smiles!

Now I am soliciting advice for what to do with this strange fruit. Please let me know what to do..... or whether you think I've gone insane!

Cheers!

The locals...

When I first arrived in my town in November I was immediately given the opportunity to travel around the countryside with a couple locals. They showed me the smaller villages around the area, the huge mountains, and the beautiful forests. One of the parts of the trip that I was most stunned by was a small village built into the side of a limestone hill. It really was a spectacular sight, very foreign, and a place completely secluded from everything. It looked like a real Peace Corps village... you know, the kind you think you'll be placed in and the kind your mother fears when you discover you've been accepted into the Peace Corps.

Not only did we see the village, but we also ran into some inhabitants of the town on our trip through the mountains. The first image is that of the village, the following image shows its inhabitants. We offered them some bread and cheese when we passed them. I'm pretty sure they were very pleased. I snapped the photo without really telling them so it was a candid shot. However, it was my Moroccan counterparts that were pushing me to take the photo. They were just as intrigued as I was. Enjoy!

SNOW!!!

As you all know, I'm in Morocco. As some of you might not know, its snowing ... ever so lightly! Its like little pieces of pillow falling from the sky. God, I miss this stuff. Here's to you, Mike, currently boarding in Vermont through feet of new powder. I too have some snow. While it might be a bit less than you, its still that fluffy, beautiful white crystalized water.

I have decided to do a picture of the day since I now have regular internet access. What better way to start than a picture of snow... if you can see it. Enjoy.

This is taken from one of my windows facing the hospital across the street.

Some Pictures

Below are some pictures of the Eid El Kabir. I have not included any really brutal slaughtering images, but there may or may not be some blood in the pictures... sorry. Enjoy!

First things first. Starting in the wee hours of the morning, my host mom started making mulawi. Its a delicious flaky, oily, bread that goes great with jam.

Next, my host brother prepares the knifes. I suppose you could use the saying "Knives out!" literally here.

Then the donkey is readied. Basically he is just moved far away from the slaughtering so he doesn't disturb the sheep.

BAP! Its done. The sheep is dead in one fell swoop of the large knife in my grandfathers hand. I'm standing behind the poor creature with my host dad who is getting ready to skin it and dismember the entire animal.

Si Mohammed, my host brother, seemed fairly happy that the sheep was ready. This mean MEAT for weeks to come!

Merriem, however, seemed a bit upset. Granted she is still a baby, but she needed some comforting by my host brother.

Here she is contemplating the past events. Why is that fuzzy thing that was moving now on the ground and not moving?

The head roasting on the grill. This is the first thing to get cooked. Once it is severed from the animal they immediately place it on the grill. I guess it is meant to prevent flys and other insects from getting their paws on the brains and such.

What you are looking at now is my grandfather taking all of the innards out of the sheep. They kind of smell. After this he will blow through the butt to make sure all the excess poop has been discharged. Don't worry. I don't have a picture of that.

Here is the view from the cafe I frequent: the snow covered peaks of Bou Iblane. Beautiful.

Internet

At long last I have internet in my house. It comes in the form of a small USB stick which basically means I can get it anywhere that has service. Wild, eh?

Anyway, this means I will be more vigilant about my posts and will also be able to put up more pictures. I have to go teach now, but hopefully tonight I'll have some more material for all those following. Plus, I really just wanted to test my connexion now.

Hope all is well!

Kitlas