Women's Day and Fashion Shows

Spring is in the air in Tafraout and it's nice to be able to walk about the house and not be freezing anymore.  For now, since the weather is no temperate, there are birds chirping, there's some grass, some rain, and even some beautiful buds on the almond trees.

Almond blossoms

Sarah was training for a marathon over the past few months so on her long runs, 16-20 miles, something I would never want to do, I would bike with her.  They were some amazing bike rides even if they always turned into some type of fiasco of an adventure.  The first time we were about 10 miles out when I hit a rock and broke my bike.  This meant 10 miles of walking my bike back home and coasting down the hills, not a fun time.  Another time it started to rain/hail on us.  I don't know if I've been that cold in a long time.  We were soaked to the bone and without hot water or heat had no real relief besides a bucket bath and lots of covers.

20 mile run in the mountains

More recently I've been lucky enough to get out of Tafraout and work on some project with my friend Zaana in her site.  She put on an awesome day of English activities and competition for the high schools in her area.  The kids loved it.  They got to compete in English games that were 'outside the box' like taboo and jeopardy.  I also was able to help with the district spelling bee in Agadir.  A volunteer set up an amazing project where school held spelling bees, and the winners moved on to district, regional, and finally a national spelling bee will be held.  The kids were awesome and happy to have the opportunity to show off their English skills and compete in something they loved.  

I finally returned to site feeling refreshed and ready to work.  Things have gotten busy here in Tafraout and I feel like I'm always running around trying to get everything accomplished.  between classes and planning for our upcoming event, I'm constantly in meetings, classes, and trying to find people in town (it's not as easy to locate officials here).  

Last week was International Women's Day.  To celebrate we had a party in the Dar Taliba (boarding house for girls).  We baked cookies and brownies, did hair, nails, and henna.  It was an awesome day, and ended in us going to the almond festival, with live music and tons of people.  The girls there are some of my favorite people in Tafraout and I've been lucky to have them in class and as friends.  

Before I left for Agadir there were rumors of a fashion show going around the association I work for.  Though I figured it wouldn't be a big deal and people would most likely forget about it.  So, much to my surprise, I got a phone call telling me that when I returned I'd need to attend fashion show practice.  I as not very happy or excited about the prospect of this and was curing Sarah for ever saying we wanted to be involved.  After a few practice walks, and my technique being criticized I thought I finally had it down.  Until the day of the show when everything was changed.  We spent 10 hours practicing different walks and pairings, until 6:30 then the show was supposed to start.  I don't think we actually started walking until about 8:30, but it was actually a lot of fun.  After getting over my fear of falling and looking like an idiot, I got my makeup done, and dressed and was ready to go.  It was one of my longest days in Morocco but it was a lot of fun and I made some good friends. 

My first outfit, the thing on my head was huge and heavy and they stuffed it full of fake flowers

Model face!