Sink or Swim: On Your Marks...

I found myself giggling uncontrollably. A huge smile spread across my face and I absolutely knew without a doubt that I looked like a goof. But I couldn't help it. This was my way of dealing with nervousness and anxiety. You know, uncontrollable giggling. It drives some people crazy when they're stressed or scared, but I can't actually help it that my default is to laugh.

We were in the car with my host dad ("baba") and he spoke absolutely no English. He had gotten out of the car to help another student with his luggage, leaving me and Lesley behind. I burst into laughter and felt a release of anticipation and nervousness.

Yes, I really was on my way to meet my host family and yes they really didn't speak any English. Sure, they spoke some French, but considering my French doesn't go beyond merci and bon jour, I wasn't counting on any help from that romance language.

Lesley and I swallowed hard and once again I found myself grinning.

Once back in the car, my baba was super nice and tried to make polite conversation. I was surprised at the amount of Arabic I was able to catch and flattered when he understood my broken phrases strung together.

After dropping of Lesley, we headed to my home for the next four months. My host brother, Ala, met us downstairs and carried my bag up five flights of stairs. Like Colombia, no elevators. No surprise there.

My host mom ("oma") is a sweet, small lady who kissed my cheeks immediately, repeating "salaam." They showed me around the apartment and then allowed me to unpack before dinner. For dinner, we had delicious tajine, a typical Moroccan dish (I'll describe it more in a later post), and of course... bread :D

I focused so hard on their conversation, on the National Geographic program on TV, on signs on other conversations, yet found it so hard to follow anything. Zoning out was easier, so it happened several times. Often, my thoughts would wander down rabbit trails, following things that reminded me of home: A Mago de Oz sweatshirt, my parents' ringtone, a familiar smell. Then, I'd hear a familiar Arabic word, jerking me back into the present conversation.

Phew :)
Sink or swim. Time to actually learn this language...

On your marks, get set...

GO!