New Encounters

Last night i had some very interesting conversations with Moroccans and the role of student protesting in Morocco. One talked of reservations on all levels while another talked about the cardinal rule in Morocco, not talking about the king. It was interesting the contrasting ideas of the students, and also how many students want to leave to get their master/PhD abroad in Europe, US or Canada. The one thing I have found out so far is that there are a lot of Moroccans who have relatives in Canada and want to go themselves. Must be the French. Everyone here wants to be educated abroad and I came here to be educated.
Also, I think that it is funny that I have come to a university where designer jeans and Gucci bags (I am not sure what they look like, but everyone seems to make a big deal about them) are more prevalent than a backpack. Such is life though.
I had my first experience with the maid that cleans the rooms today. YES I know, I have a maid at AUI and I will be honest, it was a little odd at first but the woman was very nice. There is a crew of about 10 women that I guess just go floor by floor in the building. She was surprised that I greeted her in Arabic and even more surprised when I said a few darija phrases, but the room is veryyyy clean now. She mopped the floors, cleaned the bathroom, and even rearranged my desk. The last thing I will never get used to so I will have to do that myself before she comes in two weeks. Hopefully then I will get her name.
One of the moroccan guys that I met is setting up American students with moroccan students for an Darija/English partnership in which we will both help one another with the language we are learning. This should start in the coming weeks so I am excited for that.
Also, I find it amazing how good Moroccans are with names. I have met many people, some just in passing and maybe sat with them for a minute or simply introduced myself and they immediately now my name. For example, I met a guy walking to my dorm the first day, simply introduced myself and that was about it. Two days ago the same guy comes up to me and says Hi Jeff hows it going and it took me offguard. I like it though. Also, Moroccans are used to long conversations, so I fit in perfectly. I can talk about everything when saying hi to someone and it is normal. Pretty sweet.