Eid Kabir

Yesterday was Eid Kabir, which should be called meat fest 2008. Eid began at eight in the morning with a huge breakfast. I went to my host families for breakfast and then stayed for the entire day and ate all day long. After a breakfast we slaughtered the ram. I have never seen an animal being slaughtered before and it was intense. My host dad, Said, slit the rams throat and then it started making these awful noises because it was gasping for its last breathes, blood was everywhere. After the ram was slaughtered we took an insane amount of pictures and the ram was hung upside down. I guess this is the Muslim was of slaughtering because all the blood has to be drained out of it. They also blew up the insides so it was easier to skin; it reminded me of siphoning gas. Once all of the skin is off they begin to take out the organs. Let me remind you that none of the ram parts are wasted.
After the slaughtering and skinning was over we had a little snack of liver wrapped in stomach, which as it turns out liver is not my favorite food. For lunch we had the head and once again as it turns out is not my favorite thing either. I still have the tastes stuck in my head and have to go to a wedding today where all of the above will be on the menu. I went to someone's house last night and we ate the exact same things but I am doing a good job and keeping my composure. Everyone in my village thinks it is funny to watch me eat these body parts especially my host dad because one of the first questions he asked me was if I ate stomach or head. In saying all of this it has been an interesting experience but I am integrating! I also feel really tough because I have been eating all of these random body parts.
Today my landlord’s brother is getting married and I get to go pick up the bride who lives in a nearby village. I am excited to have a true understanding of a Moroccan wedding. Before when I would go to weddings the bride was already there and this time I get to help her get ready for the big day. If I were her I would be scared out of my mind because people here rarely get married for love. The man's family finds a girl from a family that they find suitable and then they go and ask the family for permission, the girl has no say in the matter. But, people rarely get divorced here so maybe America should reconsider our marriage standards. Even though I am saying this, Dad don't you dare try to go and find me a husband today, I am not ready for the commitment. This week there are four weddings in my site because after Laid they have a lot of meat anyways so why not have a wedding. This way the families don't have to buy two rams in one year.
I will be home in a little more than a week and I am so pumped to see everyone. I am also really excited to eat some meat that is not stomach or head. I especially can't wait for ham and fruit salad and Taco Bell!!!!!
I love you
Emmy