"Shwiya b shwyia" is Darija (Moroccan Arabic) for “little by little.” It’s how things get done in Morocco … and it's how I'm progressing as a Peace Corps volunteer here, working in youth development.
Monday, July 12, 2010
La Majorelle.
Palm tree takes a nap.
Sitting here in my house in the desert, fan aimed directly on me at all times (when I'm not taking a cold shower, that is), doing anything to avoid going out in the 110-degree heat, I fantasize about my visit last week to La Majorelle in Marrakech.
The Majorelle garden is a lush oasis of dank dark earth and green growing things, nirvana for a gardener far from her garden. I nearly burst into tears as soon as I entered and inhaled the scent of growth. There's a substantial cactus garden, a variety of blooming exotics (early July must have been the best possible time to visit), ornate fountains and tiles, cascading succulents and spikes, pots and trellises painted in vivid blues, oranges and yellows.
I could live here. Right alongside Yves St. Laurent's ashes.
Yellows and greens and reds, dozens of cactus varieties.
It was great meeting you in 'kech, Becki! Glad you enjoyed the garden. I will make a point of going there next time I'm in 'kech (I LOVE gardens!). Thanks for sharing those photos. Hope to see you again soon.
I can't post my mailing address or phone number here (for security reasons), but send me an email or leave a blog comment with your contact info, and I'll let you in on the top-secret digits.
I'm also on Skype!
FYI for phone calls: Morocco is 6 hours ahead of Central Standard Time.
Wish list for my dar chebab
ESL picture dictionaries or workbooks
Elementary-level books; beginner novels
DVDs (esp. Wal-E, High School Musical, appropriate kid movies, especially sports themes; cartoons)
Twister!
Chess/checkers (very cheap @ Target)
Pingpong balls and paddles
Deflated soccer balls or plastic balls
Jump ropes
Frisbees
Craft and beading supplies
Bingo cards
Uno cards
Glossary
Darija: Moroccan Arabic Salaam u 3alaykum: “Peace be upon you” (greeting) Wa 3alaykum ssalam: "And upon you peace as well” M’slama: Goodbye (“With peace”) Labas?: Are you well? Kulshi bixir: Everything is great Dar: House Dar chebab: Youth center
Mudhir: Director Shkrn: Thank you WaHHa: OK Mzyn: Good Bzzf: A lot; too much Shwya: Little; less; not enough Inshallah: God willing (“I hope”)
Frxhn: Happy Hshuma: Shameful
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed on this blog are my own and do not represent the views of the Peace Corps, the U.S. government, the Moroccan government or any other institution.
3 comments:
becki! i'm so glad you enjoyed it. what a refreshing place in kech!!
I had to Google Yves St. Laurent. Shirley, that doesn't surprise you. And his ashes are there why?
It was great meeting you in 'kech, Becki! Glad you enjoyed the garden. I will make a point of going there next time I'm in 'kech (I LOVE gardens!). Thanks for sharing those photos. Hope to see you again soon.
Post a Comment