Little Holiday

Ramadan has come to an end since the last time we spoke. Last Monday was Laid Imzay, which means small holiday, and in two months we will celebrate Laid Imkorn, Big Holiday! For Laid Imzay I baked four cakes and about a hundred cookies to give to my host family and my neddy girl’s families. I started the morning not being too excited because I was being a party pooper. Once I got the energy to go and visit my host family I was excited. First, I went to my host family’s house and got a lecture because I didn’t come for breakfast, which is the big meal of the day. But, I had forgotten and my host dad neglected to tell me that the day before when I saw him in town. It is always so weird to see my host dad in town because it is shameful for him to talk to women in town, so he barely will acknowledge me but if we go up the hill five yards we are friends again. I had lunch with my host family instead.
After lunch I proceeded to have tea at five other houses. I was dressed up in my traditional Moroccan holiday gear and gave every family their cookies. They were all real excited about the cookies but only one family actually served them when I went to their house. Moroccan cookies are prettier than ours but they taste awful and they all taste the same, but American cookies are ugly and taste wonderful. I discussed this with my neddy girls they told me they were scared of my cookies but once they got enough guts to eat them they were pleasantly surprised.
The day after Laid I went to my neddy and for some reason I was feeling off. The girls were driving me nuts and I was so tired but had no reason to be. Then I felt a rumble in my tummy before I left the neddy and knew that was a warning for what was to come, I just didn’t anticipate how bad it would be. I have been sick in this country a couple of times and this was one of those times where I am incapacitated for days. I was up all night puking and having crazy bowl movements at the same time. At one point I was l lying on my tile floor wondering if I was going to live or maybe I was just wishing I would die, I had forgotten how bad it could feel to be alive sometimes. Yesterday, I was in bed all day recovering and watching movies. Today, I can eat again and I am feeling a little better. I went to one of my Neddy girl’s houses because I couldn’t stay inside alone for another day. At Latifa’s house I crocheted and when I got tired and slept for hours. Then Latifa made me tea because I told her I hadn’t eaten for two days that was just too much for her to handle so she got right in the kitchen and started making me eggs and bread. Of course, I ate too much for my first meal and it was filled with grease and sugar but I am still alive right now. It just felt so good to want to eat again.
I am really feeling great here and comfortable. Everyday I am realizing what a gift it is to be given this experience. If it weren’t for my parents and my Grandma Thora I wouldn’t be here, Thank YOU! I can feel myself changing for the better everyday, most of the time.
I love you all
Emmy
PS Mom I really missed you when I was sick, you’re the greatest.