20th of August, 2016.
It's my 6th weeks in Morocco. Almost time to go home.
I am currently on a train to Casablanca, where I will spend my last 2 days with smaller group of friends. We have said goodbye to the most people, we have realized that the project is over, we know that routines are waiting for us back home. It's about time.
Morocco in 45 days. So many things happened. So many lessons learned, so many friends were made, so many stories waiting to be told.
We were in Meknes last night. The 11th city that I visited in Morocco. It was odd; we were eating dinner in Meknes' old medina and Andrii my Ukranian friend looked both at me and my salad, and said: "It's weird, because after all this time, this would be my last time seeing you eating salad." I laughed a bit, but then realized that he's true. It was probably my last time talking with them (someone got mad and say: "STOP IT you are not dead yet you can still meet each other!").
We laughed. We all know that the end is here. But no one realized that it's coming.
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| First picture of Rabat, a city that feels like home to me. |
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| Our first Taxi ride. Didn't know that Moroccan taxi fits 6 freaking people! |
Okay Tasya, stop talking about the end. People don't even know what's happening. You might wonder what did I do in Morocco for this past 45 days. Yes, this Summer I joined an AIESEC program, a youth organization that is available in 126 countries (Okay... I was an AIESECer -- a little bit detail won't hurt you). It is basically an organization that sends youths out to other countries so they can experience something "beneficial" for their life. A life changing experience. They call it "Global Citizen" program.
You can basically choose your own project and apply to any country that is available. Teaching, volunteering, or just discovering a country. I chosed a project named "Discover Morocco with LC Rabat and Ifrane". The goal is to promote the tourism in Morocco (heck yea), and to bridge the world and the "arab world" thingy. Woah.
I come from the biggest Moslem country in the world, but I've never been to any other Moslem countries. My family (that is not a Moslem) was not even sure with my plan to visit Morocco. They tried to change my destination country because of some "safety" reasons. But again, the goal of this project is to break stereotypes; you gotta see it first and then have an opinion about it. You cannot judge in advance.
This is why the world is so sensitive with Islam. First, probably because of the stupid ISIS. Second, because people are too scared to come and see the truth with their eye. And Morocco is not even in the middle east. So, let's give it a try!
(I feel like the more people don't let me do something, the more I want to do it *typical adolescence*)
Anyways, after a lot of researches and presentations made for my parents, they finally let me do it. And after exploring for 45 days I can surely say that Morocco is a safe country. (Well, at least safe for Indonesian; I figure a lot of similarities with Indonesia -- will write about it later.)
Woaaah and another reason why the heck did I choose Morocco is: it's in Africa! Another continent in my been-there list! *okay, a very shallow reason*
I think AIESEC Global Citizen program is not about the project, really. Honestly, their website sucks and I judge things by their website (graphic designer probs). And the organization is run by university students for university students (Come on we all know that uni students are the busiest creature on the planet. I knew it because I WAS a freaking AIESECer).
But AIESEC Rabat and Ifrane did their job, and after all that we've been through; the good and the bad moments: I still believe in AIESEC. This organization; no matter what happen; is the reason why I am here in Morocco. They united us.
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| The places I visited |
Afterall, I have visited Rabat, Casablanca, Asilah, Tangier, Chefchaoen, Kenitra, Ifrane, Fes, Meknes, Essaouira, Marrakech, Oarzazate, and Merzouga for Sahara. A whole taste of Morocco within 45 days. A lot of train rides, a lot of carrying the luggage, lots of moving, lots of accommodation. At the end I feel that it was enough and I have seen enough of Morocco. I started to crave home.
But the only thing that is in my way is.. the companies. They have became a family to me. The idea of living without them within an eyesight feels wrong, because I have spent 24 hours a day with them.
But you know, it's also a good thing to say goodbye. So maybe one day when we see each other, we can share different stories. Like a good old friend. You don't have to talk with them everyday, but you know that they're always there and also ready to share their life with you.
"This is your last train in Morocco, but it won't be the last stop in your life" as a good friend of mine told me :)
I smiled, and looking through the train window. Yalla Casablanca! Yalla blog! Yalla home!
/Tasya Bintang
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