Hey I'm a Moroccan Too

Walking around the streets of Casa, I like to think I can blend in with the crowd, especially when I walk around veiled.  Yes, thats right I will walk around with my head covered to hide my blonde hair.  I also enjoy it because you just feel less exposed to the world(another post will come about this).  In a taxi, in the markets, on the streets- everyone speaks Arabic to me and most of the time when they speak, I just nod and agree with them or act like I know what they are saying (this can be figured out sometimes just perceptively). 

For instance, looking at Moroccan shoes in the Hay Hassani market a lady was speaking Arabic asking me which shoes matched her jelaba best.  She did not pick up the shoes, but I could just tell from her eye contact and the dress she showed me.

It is really nice in my neighborhood because it is local area and I can just feel like another Moroccan. Many people in the neighborhood know I am a foreigner and they treat me very nicely and some do not know and still treat me with respect. It is a nice feeling “just fitting in with the crowd.”  

Many people think that because I am “American”, I just want to speak English and be around Americans.  This is not the case at all as discussed in the “Adventures of a Bollywood Solo Traveler.” I did not come to Morocco to hang out with Americans.  This does not mean I can not have American friends, but I would like to have Moroccan friends and spend time with Moroccan families, which really is the heart of Morocco.  The warm, beautiful loving family-something I am missing and crave from time to time…