The House!

Ah... yes, the house.  After much trouble and stress, it is mine.  I finally moved all of my things over to the new place, and just got them organized.  Unfortunately, this whole ordeal has thrown off the daily routine, so this week I have to get back into running again, figure out how the  food situation is going to work most effectively, and learn how to cook some new dishes.  As of right now I am sleeping on the Moroccan equivalent of a couch... the ponj.  By November, a volunteer from a previous group will be leaving, and I'll be inheriting his bed and mini fridge.  I'll just have to make due until then.  The house is rather typical for the bled: mud exterior and cement innards, roof made from wood beams covered with tightly strung bamboo, and a mud and plastic covering on top of all that.  I have four rooms: my bedroom, the central living area where I do my cooking, a storage room, and a bathroom. Running water, ha!  That's a luxury, and therefore not in my house. Water is a bit fun at the new site... it's from a well, and has to be lugged up a hill.    As a precaution, I'm chlorinating or boiling all of my drinking water, so yes, I'm pretty much drinking pool water. On the plus side, my shoulders will be in pretty good shape.

 Yesterday, R came over and checked out my site.  We hung around most of the day, I showed him around, and we learned how to make mint tea correctly.  LOTS of sugar by the way... a chunk about the size of a fist in a big tea pot.  It's a wonder everyone doesn't have diabetes.  But I'll be damned if it isn't delicious.

I've got my ticket back to the States as well... or rather my parents have obtained one for me.  Christmas in the USA... only 5 and a half months to go.   I'm excited to see how much everything has changed since I left.  New trends, new movies, getting to talk to people I haven't seen in ages... already miss you guys bunches! There's going to be a lot to catch up on.  Nine months of American culture for one.