Defeating the Tishka

So this past weekend I finally got a chance to get down south to Ouarzazate, Morocco's Hollywood if you will, to do some Peace Corps related training. In order to actually get down there, however, one has to conquer the Tishka pass. Basically, it's a five hour bus ride at an elevation of 8,000 feet with minimal guard rail-age saving you and 45 other heavily nauseated travellers from plummeting off sharp corners and steep inclines to your horrifying, not to mention legen.... wait for it.... dary, death below. Add to the picture insane fog and impending night-fall... I think I may have peed myself a little.

L'hamdullah this country has some stellar bus drivers as I arrived there and back in one piece. Increased blood-pressure? Definitely. All limbs in tact? Check. I'll take the cons with the pros. Anyway, Ouarzazate was a pleasant surprise. When work-related activities were complete we had a chance to meander about town and, man, is it chill. I mean, compared to Kech, which I spend a significant amount of time in, Oz was a breathe of fresh air. Cute cafes, friendly people, taxi drivers who actually stick to the fair fare (you see what I did there?). I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for tourists, not really anything special except for the night stop on the way to the desert, but dude, for PCVs, it's perfect. Great location to just calm down for a second and catch up without being hassled. In summary, 'twas a delightful weekend, getting work done, catching up with friends, making new ones. Mental high-five Ouarzazate.

In regards to other going-ons in my life, I chose the medium of the bullet point. (or dashy-thingy as I don't really think there is a bullet point option...)

- Had a Peace Corps site visit yesterday. Most important thing Amina told me - Jeter is apparently a girl. Who knew. She also brought me Twix and pasteries. Dangerous woman. God, I love her.

- My mommy's package stilllllllllll has not arrived. It's something like 8 weeks now. Balls.

- I was informed this weekend of a MONUMENTAL discovery in regards to the Turkish toilet. I give you: 'the reverse-squat'. Who knew the best method of female peeing was to turn around?!?! Yes, I'm aware of how many cool-points I'm cashing in sharing this discovery with all of you, but I mean, come on! Blew my mind.

- I rearranged my entire house. It's beautiful. I'm even thinking of purchasing a wayyy overpriced bed so I don't have to ponj-it for two years. We'll see...

- Spring has arrived to Sedona-miz! I slept with the windows open. It rocked my world.

- Ooo... um, reconsidering the window-open plan as I am just remembering the 4 inch centipede I found in my house while rearranging the other day. Freaked out a little. I'm sure you have no problem manifesting that mental picture.

- I'm making fish tacos this afternoon with my fantabulous site-mate. Neither of us have bought fish in site, however. We'll let you know how it goes.

- I've been waking up at like 7am this past week. For no good reason. I don't know how to make it stop.

- I've found myself listening to a lot of Boston, Foreigner, and Journey lately. I mostly blame Glee. And my mother. But I'm seriously concerned for the longterm effect Peace Corps will have on my musical taste. - Shudder-

Anecdote: During class last night, we were discussing different terms for relationships: friend, buddy, colleague, etc. I thought 'crony' was going to be the most enjoyable to teach, turns out I underestimated foreign language learners. After extensively trying to describe what a 'date' was, and convincing them it could mean more than the food or the day of the week, they epiphanied when one of the students (using words previously learned that afternoon) was like 'so it's like an appointment with affection?' Um, yep, that's exactly what it is, sir. 1 point Muslim upbringing, 0 points Donniell.