Rabat, Chefchaouen, and a tiny village in the mountains

Morocco was amazing. Everyone got to stay with a family for two days and get fed and try to talk with the families. i learned a couple words of moroccan arabic. It is crazy to think that every single person growing up in morocco learns three languages (moroccan arabic, standard arabic, and french) and many of them learn english and/or speak other languages as well. in my homestay the daughter was learning english and the older son spoke a little bit as well from when he was in school.
The program set us up with a camel ride as well. and i pulled something in my leg cause i was not expecting the violent way in which they stand up and sit down. i almost fell off.
the food was great but not as spicy as i was anticipating. they put a large plate of the food in the center of the table and everyone eats from it using bread and hands. our guides taking us around some of the sights were former peace corps volunteers and from similar styles of programs and that couldnt get themselves to leave when their stay was over. one girl was on a grant setting up a program to provide ultimate frisbee as means of conflict resolution. haha. whatever it takes.
I got to experience a hammam or a turkish bath or public wash rooms, and got a scrubdown. (everyone wears boxers or shorts). Also i got a tour of Rabat with two moroccan students. we also went to a woman's shelter where they made us lunch and we talked to a group of three women about life in morocco. this trip was packed with events for the four days we were there. in the groups i got the opportunity to barter (which is how all stores work there) and i am no good at that, but i got a pair of Moroccan slippers. maybe the most interesting part was visiting a family in a little village in the mountains of a couple hundred people and through translators hearing what they had to say and their perspectives and world views and what they think of america/americans. we went on a short hike to the top and the view was amazing.
the degree of hospitality and welcoming and perspective from the people i met during the trip was impressive... and inspiring