Goodbye Taroudant!

Our final day in Taroudant was both happy and sad.  It was happy because I now have so many wonderful memories and new friends, but sad because my time here has ended.  I will miss the sights and sounds of this marvelous town.

A traditional arched Moroccan doorway next to our hotel.  The hotel used to be a mansion for the mayor of Taroudant

We spent the morning in the several classrooms, and I was fortunate enough to observe in a classroom where the English teacher's subject was cultural values and heritage in Morocco.  He and his students helped me learn what should be an example to people of every nation around the world.  Here are some of the highlights:                    Moroccans value...
1) Hospitality:  in Morocco friendship is offered to guests, and the living room is reserved for visitors.  It is often the best room in the house, but not used unless guests are present.  Be prepared to be served tea and cookies and your hosts will tell you "eat, eat, eat" until you are about to explode.
2)  Peace and Tolerance:  Jewish, Christian, and Muslim people lived in Morocco for centuries and coexisted.   There is even a Christian church in this small town of Taroudant.   Moroccans are tolerant when it comes other things as well.  For example, women can wear what they want, but most choose the conservative dress and head scarf out of a tradition of modesty, not because it is obligatory. 
3)  Respect:  Respect for elders is an important value here and they take care of older family members until they die.  Women are also respected here.  There was a Moroccan Family Code passed in 2006 that insists on gender equality in all aspects of life including work and home.  Women may divorce their husbands, and property as well as child custody are shared in divorce.  Also, girls must be at least 18 before marrying so they can finish school. 
4)  Rituals:  Morocco is a diverse culture with a tribal history.  There are many celebrations here and different types of music, dancing, and celebrations are respected and enjoyed. 
5)  Brotherhood:  Moroccans value solidarity and taking care of the less fortunate.  Signs of charity and altruism are everywhere.  The people of Morocco have seen what has happened in other countries nearby and embrace brotherhood to strengthen their bonds in order to avoid such problems in their own future.

This students explains how Moroccans value peace and tolerance

I learned today that plain squares aren't used much in Moroccan architecture- instead they favor the star within the square to symbolize Jewish and Muslim cultures (look closely for the shape in the door)

After spending the morning at school, we were sent off with kisses and gifts from students, then we went back to our lovely hotel to pack up and leave.  I made a final stop at the kiosk where we bought water each day to say goodbye to Omar- the man who invited us to dinner in his home after our first purchase.

  Goodbye, friend!

We then headed out to do some final shopping with Hassan's wife and sister-in-law.  They insisted on going with us to haggle for the best prices on everything we wanted, and they got us quite the deals!

I bought some pottery...

and some tea and spices

Then it was time to say goodbye to our new second family.  We had one last hour together.  Hassan's family didn't come empty handed- they gave us so many gifts!  Homemade cookies, olive oil, special butter, and to my amazement his mother-in-law hand-made us traditional Moroccan clothing!  It is so beautiful! I was shocked that she did this for us, and she made it in such as short time.  She doesn't speak English but kept saying , "I love you"...

In addition, the 12 year-old sister-in-law of our host sent a beautiful outfit for my 12 year-old daughter.  All of that in addition to the gifts they gave us on the first day.  After a tearful farewell, we left Taroudant.  But one last gift- a letter was given to me by the funny and lovely sister-in-law Meryam, who was filled with so much joy.  Her letter said the most expressive and beautiful words and thanked us for sharing in their lives. She wrote..."It's difficult to express my gratitude and love to you.  I want to say so much but I can hardly find the words, so I'll just say that you are the greatest blessing in my life.  Thank you so much for sharing with us our simple life, culture, and traditions..."  That goes to show how Moroccans treat their guests.  This letter and all of the other gifts will be treasured forever.

Just some of the many gifts given by our host, his family, and his students...

Farewell to an amazing family

Question of the Day:  How do you say goodbye in Arabic?