Final Site, Now Home

Hello readers,

Happy holidays!  I am sorry for the long delay.  Now I see why many PC blogs take awhile to get regularly updated.  I think it is apathy or maybe just laziness, although many PCVs don't have regular access to the internet.

Anyway, I am just now completing my first month at my final site, which, by the way, is not Guercif.  I now live in a city named Khemisset.  This city is much larger than Guercif and a bit more developed.  Also, Khemisset is only an hour away from Rabat.  At first, adjusting to the city took some time, since I did not get a chance to visit while the previous volunteer was available.  However, aside from sheer size, Khemisset was pretty easy to acclimate to.  I now know my way around and have developed some relationships with the residence in Khemisset.  I already have a tutor and I will be moving into my own home shortly.  My host-family in Khemisset is very nice.  Although it is hard for me to practice my Darija, because my host-father speaks English.  Best of all, Khemisset has a fairly large gated park for running and exercising.  The park even has a quarter-mile track, although the perimeter around the park almost equals a mile.  I just run around like a hamster in a wheel for a couple of hours free of dogs!

I have met with a cooperative that I will be working with during my stay in Khemisset.  The cooperative is named Najah and they specialize in wood carving.  Their products are really nice.  The previous volunteers assisted the cooperative well during their volunteer stint, so I hope to do the same.

Prior to moving to my final site, I attended the official PC volunteer ceremony in Rabat.  I am now an official PCV.  It was an interesting experience, leaving the training environment, and immediately departing to a new location alone; such mystery, such intrigue.  Now, it's no sweat, although I still speak like a bumbling idiot.

Happy holidays!

Thanks,