Can't Wait to Begin My Journey!

Friends, family and colleagues...

I'll be flying to Rabat, Morocco on Friday, October 9, to begin three months of service, soul searching and sightseeing.

Mondays through Fridays, I will be volunteering at the Lala Maryem Center for Abandoned Children, where I will join full time staff and about a dozen other volunteers in caring for 250 children aged 0 to 6. Arabic and French will be the languages of choice, so I'm sure I'll be gesturing alot in a frantic attempt to communicate!

On weekends, I will be traveling (with other volunteers, I hope) to places like Fez, Marrakesh and the Atlas Mountains to enjoy all the wonders that Morocco has to offer.

I'll be living in a large, comfortable house with other volunteers (sort of like a dorm with bunk beds and all), with a garden outside, and even a nearby supermarket. "Board" is included, too, so I'll be enjoying homecooked Moroccan cuisine all week long. As an added bonus, I'll get help with Arabic from Mohamed Mhmoudi and other friendly staff members at the house, plus cultural training and lectures.

I think I may have a bit of culture shock when I arrive, not to mention jet lag, so it may be a week or two before I write a post.

Until then, b'salaama.