Lessons so far

Been in Morocco for 6 days. Lessons so far:

• Body shuts down after 24 hours of awake… I admire you med school people (or pity, not sure which) .
• It's not fun to sit next to someone on a plane for 7 hours when you don't speak any common languages.
• Sucks to be the guy who doesn't read French, Arabic, or English when it comes time to fill out the customs card.
• Sucks to be the girl sitting next to said guy who has to try to do it for him… ever try miming "what is your profession"? So basically if he gets deported due to inaccuracies on the customs form it's my fault.
• Spend less time guarding computer and more time guarding Nalgene. Former can be replaced and I can live without… latter is ESSENTIAL and IRREPLACABLE so I hope the dude who stole mine gets eaten by monkeys.
• If you steal someone's Nalgene, you will incur their wrath.
• Furthermore, you will be easy to spot in the street as the only non-foreigner with a Nalgene… I'll find you!
• Never take for granted the importance of a container that can be dropped from a ten story building without breaking (okay no more whining about my Nalgene, but it even had a splash guard!).
• Try to remember people's faces because they remember you. Just because you haven't gone for 2 years and only saw the owner of an internet café 2 times in your life, doesn't mean he won't see you on the streets and expect you to know his name…
• Receiving messages at hotels is awesome and makes you feel important
• Don't go to former host family's house expecting to be able to leave in fewer than 4 hours and without gaining 8 pounds.
• Learn the metric system, it's useful
• Every Moroccan I know has learned at least one language since I was here last, interesting I have lost at least half a language in that same time period.
• Jokes are not funny when translated
• Get to be an Ambassador, their jobs are sweet. Obstacle- must meet president to get appointed.
• 10 hour days of lessons in politics, literature, social structures, history, economics, and law when jet lagged is the formula for sleep.
• People ACTUALLY get exiled! Met a historian who was exiled to Senegal for writing smack about the King.
• International Fall Minnesota is the coldest place in the Continental US (where said exile is now going to teach)
• It is vital to actually be on the email list of information for Fulbright scholars… They might just provide you with information on how your life is supposed to work. WIFI exists in Morocco
• ANDAK! Means 'get outta the way, overloaded donkey coming through narrow passage'
  

In other news, as you may have guessed I am alive and well enough to at least type. I'll be getting an apt. in Rabat if any of your want to visit- all are welcome (except Brett). Here's my contact info:

+212 77-93-04-55

Laura Frye

MACECE
7 Rue Agadir
Rabat, Morocco

Alright team. There's more to come for sure but I'll spare you for now. So congrats if you made it to the end.

Besslama,
Laura