The Moroccan Experience.

Volunteering in Morocco was a rash decision. Felt like doing it, went with my guts and there I was in 40 degrees Celsius hot Marrakech. Marrakech is a very touristy city, there is a constant hustle and bustle in the main square, the souks (markets) and on some streets. Many a time I walked around with people calling "China, China" or "Japan, Japan" after me, at first I found it intimidating and irritating as these people were quite rude but eventually I just found it funny. There was once when I was walking around Essaouira, a beautiful coastal town near Marrakech, and a guy came up to me and said "Konichiwa, Ka-ra-te!" with a Karate stance. I couldn't stop laughing for a very long time after that.

This was the first time I travelled alone to a foreign country. In the midst of the ups and downs I went through in my 2nd year, I felt the strong need to embark on a solo travel (sometimes I think that the need was heavily influenced by Eat, Pray, Love, haha...). And boy, did I enjoy myself. I fell in love with the place, the friends I made and the children I volunteered with.

Morocco is vibrant, colourful and rich with culture. The souks are always busy and often visited by tourists and locals alike; haggling takes place every minute. I spent quite a bit of time wandering aimlessly in the souks, attracted by every possible little thing. It has the Aladdin feel to it too, with its endless supply of Aladdin trousers, pointed leather slippers (babouches), magic boxes, treasure boxes, spice and traditional medicine shops and lamp and lantern shops.

It is a country where traditional practices and values are strongly upheld and where religion plays a significant role in the lives of its people. I remember waiting at a bus station and watching the chaotic place returned to order as the people lined up their praying mats systematically and prayed under the hot sun when the prayer call went off. In many ways, Morocco reminded me of Malaysia. There was Moroccan timing which was rather similar to Malaysian timing, things were never quite on time. There was also this practice which I named 'Maybe, Maybe Not'. Things were often uncertain and ranged from whether a project was going to be on to what time the King would be visiting.

The people I met when I was volunteering is, really, the main reason why I enjoyed myself so much in Morocco and why I miss Morocco so much these days. My first friend was Francesca, a lovely girl who never failed to make me laugh with her jokes and straight-forwardness. There was also Clare, always there for me, always listening to my ongoing rants and providing an alternative perspective. Then there was Math-loving Femi, strong-headed and opinionated, never afraid to stand up for himself, his beliefs and his friends but always eager to learn about other people, cultures and life. They were my life-advisor when I was in Morocco, many things were said and discussed which helped me greatly when I reflected upon myself, I really couldn't thank them enough for that. Our last conversation on the rooftop especially would be one that I would always remember. =)

I did a lot of things that I never thought I would or could while in Morocco. I slept on the rooftop the first night I reached the volunteers' riad, and never wanted to sleep anywhere else. In such hot weather, with no fan or air condition whatsoever, the rooftop was really the best place to sleep. It always looked like a massive sleepover party. Besides that, I went to the Sahara desert. Riding the camel wasn't the best experience, but I got there alright. =)

The best chicken tajine I've ever tasted came from the nomads at the desert. One of the nomads said the reason why he loves the desert so much is that it is always peaceful and quiet and unlike the urban, desert inhabitants treat one another with sincerity. There was a sandstorm the day we reached and I actually slept in the open outside the tents throughout the sandstorm.

I also tasted things that I had no idea what they really were. Oh, I tried fasting for the first time and boy, was it difficult in such hot weather. Water never tasted so good after that.

I also managed, with my very basic level of French, communicate with the locals. The first time I tried was with this old man here named Abdellatif and his little children. Although my phrase book had to be constantly taken out, I was quite proud of myself.

Living in a place for close to 3 weeks made me noticed and did a lot things I wouldn't otherwise as a tourist. Trust me, you would start living like a local and it feels good! I bought groceries from the supermarket about every 3 days, but when it came to bottled water and fresh Moroccan bread, we would always go to our lovely waterman. Everyone was a 'man': waterman, sandwichman, you name it. We knew which pizza place to go to when we got bored of local food and which stall to eat at the night market. As it was really hot, my friends and I even bought water sprays to sprinkle cold water on ourselves every now and then and walking around with the sprays brought us to many gratified locals who were fasting. Going around with the locals also meant that I got to learn how to stop a local bus: When someone wants to get off the bus, all one has to do is tap the walls or doors of the bus, the bus driver would then stop. There was no bell.

I also realised how contented people were living with what they have, sometimes, just bare necessities. Children played with whatever they could find: rolling tyres on the ground, building towers of pebbles. I noticed that the children were mostly well-behaved and they were grateful with every opportunity that came along to them.

Asma was the first girl who greeted me in the scouts camp I went to. She speaks perfect English, French and Arabic. She learnt English from watching TV.

The children were indeed a major highlight of my travel. They were lively, adorable, and simple. And I felt that they never took anything for granted.

Also, for once in a very, very long time, I finally had time for myself. With the flexible volunteering schedule, I often had time to read, think and talk to people. When the project ended, I stayed in Marrakech for another 5 days. Every morning, I would wake up and asked myself: What do you want to do today? The feeling was liberating.

Volunteering in Morocco was a rash decision but it was one of the best things I did in my life. I learnt a lot. Meeting the people and making new friends opened my eyes and more importantly, my mind. I came back to London feeling very humbled and found myself with a strong sense of calm and peace. It was a fulfilling trip and, as cliché as it sounds, I know it has changed my life forever.