Reflecting On My Time In Morocco As An Expat

I returned from Morocco two weeks sooner than I’d planned.

One day I looked in the mirror and I just knew that it was time. I can’t explain it other than to say that I was “Res’ ta go!” (You don’t get that “In Living Color” reference? Oh.)

While I was anxious to get back to my normal, I started missing Morocco the moment the driver pulled up for the hour-long trip to the airport. As I looked out of the car window and watched the scenery fade, I thought about the people I’d met and the priceless menagerie of experiences I’d collected during my stay.

Don’t tell anybody, but I’m a little emotional about all of this.

I miss the center I was consulting for. I miss the neighborhood I lived in. I miss the sheep. I miss the tea. I miss it all. Most of it. Not the bugs. Definitely not them. Ugh.

I can’t imagine that if this opportunity had been presented to me earlier in life that I would have walked away with the same personal growth and overall euphoria. I was living alone in another country with a sliver of the common language and I survived to write about it.

Parting gifts.

To my readers: I hope that you’ve been encouraged to widen your idea of what’s possible for you. Every day we make decisions that will impact our lives for years to come. Take chances. Live life. Be awesome.

I visited Hasan Mosque II in Casablanca. I spent a great deal of time getting my scarf (really a shawl on top of my sleeping scarf) just right. When I got inside I realized I didn't need to have it on. — I visited Hassan Mosque II in Casablanca. I spent a great deal of time getting my scarf (a shawl on top of my sleeping scarf) situated only to find out that I didn’t need it. Tourist privilege.

I went to a hammam spa. Summary: You get naked and some lady scubs your skin off. Google it. For some reason, my lady kissed me on the mouth afterwards. I was ...um....not happy, but I was very clean. This smiling picture was taken BEFORE this kiss. We're wearing the sand paper material mittens the women used to scrub me. — I went to a hammam spa with my friend. Summary: You get naked and some lady scubs your skin off. Google it. For some reason, my lady kissed me on the mouth afterwards. I was …um….not happy but I was very clean. We’re wearing the sand paper material mittens used for scrubbing.

roach — Remember the bug that crawled on my bare leg days after I arrived? This was his kin. I bug-sprayed him to death and kept him captive with a coffee cup.

This picture was taken after the center’s inaugural graduation ceremony. This little girl was the first student to speak to me at the center. She came up to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek and walked away. No words were spoken. Awwwh, right?

Here I am with the Fabiola, the center's director. I love her! We didn't plan to match. we're just cool like that. — Here I am with Fabiola, the center’s director. I love her! We didn’t plan to match. We’re just cool like that.

On my last day at the center they gave me a gift. I held my single tear back. I was strong. — On my last day at the center, the staff gave me a gift at a dinner they had organized for me. I held my single tear back. I was strong.

Here I am boarding the plane (an hour late) for my return flight home. — Here I am boarding the plane for my return flight home. It was an hour late but no one seemed to care.

What’s next for me?

I took this picture in Brooklyn a few weeks after I returned to New York. I felt slightly strange having my legs and arms out. I was cute, right?

Morocco was wonderful. I have no regrets about my decision or path getting there. I’m forever changed because of this adventure. I’m considering going back soon, but for a shorter stay.

I don’t want to get all Iyanla Vanzant on ya’ll, but trust me when I tell you that I’m blessed. Anything and everything is in store for me. Thanks for coming along for the ride. 😉

Click HERE to review the journey from start to finish.

Reflecting on Morocco

Tagged on: Morocco