I’m almost through with week 1 of my trip and I do indeed LOVE Rabat. While it feels like I just arrived yesterday, as I reflect back on this first week there has already been amazing experiences, great laughs and suprising feelings of relaxation. For those who read my prior blog I still highly recommend the No Jet Lag homeopathic medicine. Brilliant stuff!
If there is a regret so far it is that I did not do enough homework in learning the language. I know the basics. And I suppose I was foolish to think I could learn enough on DuoLingo to be able to really talk with others. Fortunately the Moroccan people are SUPER FRIENDLY and PATIENT. Maybe their smiles are really just laughing at the lazy American who wasn’t smart enough to learn their language. If they are faking it, then their smiles seem so genuinely kind that they deserve an Oscar.
Here is what I have learned so far.
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Most everyone speaks French and Arabic. And most of the people that I have needed to communicate with have better than basic English skills if not very good English. Particularly those in the professional and service industries. However, I do not recommend booking a massage unless you are certain you speak some common language with the your masseuse. Otherwise, like me, you will most likely get a gentle pat down for your massage.
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The weather here reminds me a bit of Hawaii Islands. It can be very warm during the day. Beautiful blue skies. At night it has often rained. And occasionally we have seen rain during the day. But the rain can disappear at a moments notice and the blue skies are right back out. This is nothing for someone from Vancouver Canada where rain can last for weeks not hours.
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Food is geared towards meat eaters. While I’m not going hungry as a vegetarian, I would say that my options are fairly limited. Salad (and usually only one choice as most have meat on them). Cheese Pizza. Vegetable Tangine. Luckily I LOVE vegetable Tangine particularly from the restaurant just around the corner of our hotel.
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There are cats around ever corner. And Palm Trees. Also like Hawaii.
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While the traffic can look a bit daunting at first, when it comes to crossing the road we have found that the cars will stop for you. Really they will. It’s almost amazing how well the people and cars seem to share the road. A huge level of trust on both sides. I feel significantly more efficient and at the same time safer crossing a road here than many other cities I have visited around the world.
We have visited many beautiful things. Many historical things. Explored many food varieties. Taken many pictures of the food. Enjoyed a Moroccan Hamman Spa. And on top of all that we have met with our clients, learned about the specific work we are meant to be doing and started doing actual work. Sounds busy right?
Here’s the thing. I’m not. I have no dog to walk twice a day. No meals to cook – for me or others. No groceries to buy. No house to tidy. No laundry. No driving myself or anyone else anywhere. I am instead indulging in yoga at 6:30 and another good workout post my day with the host client. A leisurely dinner. A bit of checking in back home. Read or what not. Sleep and repeat. I’m not sure I’ve been this relaxed while also working full time since I don’t even know when. Could it be the Moroccan culture? Whatever it is please don’t tell my husband!
Finally, I must say a few words about this IBM CSC team. They are pure delight. We are here representing Canada, USA, Ireland/England, Republic of Georgia, Brazil, Philippines, China, Australia and India (I hope I did not miss anyone). It is amazing the diversity in the culture that is in this team AND YET we have so brilliantly found a way to communicate with each other with openness and respect.
And I’ve yet to feel that icky feeling you sometimes get in large groups when tensions rise between one or more people. I’ve been trying to put my finger on what is the contributing factor to the absence of this. It could be that everyone is simply that kind and respectful. I would also say there is allot of eagerness to want to experience this culture. And to learn from each other. As such allot of openness is present. And a desire to provide good value to our respective clients while we are here.
But I’m going to come back to being kind and respectful. These are the two simplest rules that we can all remember a little bit more when we are with each other. It makes me reflect where in my life back in Canada (work and at home) that I may be forgetting these basic principles? And/Or is there still a missing ingredient that I have not yet identified that has created the relationships present here?
To be continued…
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