It is currently 7:30AM and I am aboard the plane heading to NYC. Tomorrow afternoon I will land in Casablanca and I have absolutely no idea what will happen. A surreal feeling washed over me as I took my obligatory picture of the infamous PDX infamous carpet and the moment began to sink in.
When I came to Lewis & Clark College, I had every intention of going to Washington D.C. and having an amazing internship with a Congressman for a semester. And yet, I am heading for Morocco today–still not sure how I got here. I am still not sure what to expect.
I am sure that an adventure awaits me for the next four months. An adventure filled with delicious street food, colorful little shops, beautiful desert sunsets, Arabic classes, and of course, new people. I am equally excited and nervous to explore the streets, learn the language, and meet new people.
It is hard to imagine delving into Moroccan life when my mind is still very much attached to Portland. I still have internships and scholarships to apply for, summer employment to seek, and a presidential campaign to run all from Morocco. I will need to find a healthy balance between being fully present in this overseas experience while keeping up with all of my obligations across the Atlantic. It is quite a balancing act I am ready to take on.
As I was boarding the plane, I took one last look at the quirky green carpet and thought how it would not be there when I returned. It saddens me a bit to say goodbye to such a memorable symbol of community in Portland. It is a sign of home. The nice thing is that homes are not often defined by what things inhabit them or the signs that surround, but the people that belong there. When I return, I will find my home with the people I love. But for the next four months, a new home awaits me in a beautiful country on the edge of Africa. For the next few months, I will take in every moment.
I am Moroccan bound.
