Blogs from Scranton, Kansas, United States, North America

I finished my six week Arabic language course in Fez, Morocco, and have since returned to Kansas. However, I finished that course more than two weeks ago and covered quite a bit of Morocco during that time, quickly followed with a rapid tour of Lisbon and a re-entry into regular routes through Northeast Kansas. I began my post-class vacation in Asilah, a beach town along the Atlantic coast in Morocco. Jennifer and I wilted in the heat for the four-hour train ride from Fez, but were quickly revived by the ocean breeze once we exited. Once installed in our hotel, we found a decent little place down the street where we ate fish tagines, or stews, complete with mint tea proffered by the waiter. As we wandered through the old part of town, we appreciated the ... read more

Here I sit, with WalMart bags surrounding me and clothes spread throughout the room, preparing for my trip to Benin, Africa. I leave July 4th for Philadelphia, the ultimate destination for any true freedom celebrater. Fifty people from the United States will meet in Philadelphia for three days before we all leave for Africa. We arrive in Cotonou, Benin on July 8th, where we will begin our training. For three months, I will live with a host family in Segbouhe, Benin, not far from Cotonou, and will learn how to cook, clean, live, and play like a true Beninoise. Along with French, I will learn a native language, and I will learn the cultural rules of the society. (If this includes wearing skirts everyday, I might be in trouble....) I am very excited to go, to ... read more