Interweaving

Carpets, carpets, carpets. Morocco is sure not in a shortage of floor coverings. Carpets galore, colors, patterns, wool and more. There are so many carpets to choose from in this country that it is hard not to associate Morocco with their carpets. I would even go so far as to say the country has enough rugs to swathe the Great Wall of China. The market is so heavily saturated that there seems to be no room to infiltrate the booming trade unless your product goes above the norm.
In Zaouiat we also make carpets but carpets of a particular variety. Women typically recycle old sweaters and unwind them into balls of yarn and weave them into home décor. Due to this, the rugs appear aged and the colors generally would not appeal to the general public, unless of course you are a backpacking, antique collecting daughter of a hippy. Carpets are also difficult for tourists to take with them and tend to be on the more expensive side of gifts to bring home. To be prepared to enter the market with our product many improvements and financial investments would have to take part. This did not appear to me to be a good option with the competitive market in which we are a part of. What about new ideas, new projects, something that is not easily found, something we already have the knowledge and materials to create?
I held a meeting with the interested women of Zaouiat to do a rough market assessment. In Zaouiat we do not have a shortage of sheep or knowledge of natural dyes and wool spinning. We also live in a cold climate and the town nearby attracts many winter tourists who frequent the ski slopes in the vicinity. Surprisingly however, winter wear is not easily available and what is available are products from Spain or France. Almost all women know how to knit or crochet. Putting these factors together we have now decided to delve into the creation of a new line of winter wear via knitting and crochet utilizing local wool when possible. Women seem excited and we have begun knitting and crochet classes. I gave one of my knitted caps to my neighbor and within a few days she had replicated it to a T. I feel that this will be a promising activity and even if we do not make a large profit women will be able to suit up their children in homemade warmth which in the end would save money for the family. It is encouraging to see women creating already just after one workshop. Many who missed our previous meetings have even approached me in interest. As long as the ball keeps rolling and interests hold this could be a very promising activity. This summer will hopefully be spent in the stage of creativity and production which should be ready for a new line in late fall or early winter.
It has even inspired me to delve into the world of crafts farther than I previously would be comfortable to admit. Researching knitting and crochet patterns has brought to my attention just how large the underground scene of young knitters is these days. Many people it seems are still getting their knit on with group gatherings of stitching and bitching as they say. Using local products will also hopefully boost the value of our product to the market which I hope is becoming more conscious of product origin. So as you read this we are getting our knit on.

Homes

In February I moved into my first place and the freedom was immense. As much as I love my host family and still greatly do it was nice to be able to get back on a schedule that slightly resembled my previous life. I was able to eat what and when I wanted, sleep during hours that suited my internal clock, decorate a space that I could call me own and play my music to the loudest my laptop can allow.
The house was modest to say the least. I had a bedroom, small living room, kitchen and a bathroom. During the cold months in which I lived in said house I slept in the small living room next to the fireplace. I more or less took up residence in one room of the house only escaping to the kitchen for a glass of hot coco. The walls were painted a pale yellow, floors were cold cement. There was one window in the kitchen with a view of the Cedar Mountains. I became attached to having my own place but difficulties ensued due to the harshness of this past winter. I had severe water leakage from the snow and rain storms that saturated my house. Even with weeks of clear blue skies my house would not dry and everything began to mold and decompose. My new box of white envelopes was all sealed shut, my clothes became cold and moist and the pages of my books were cornering.
The entrance to my home was also not secure to my liking. The front of the house was made up of nailed scraps of wood with a door locked by a child’s pad lock. With a space open at the bottom of the door I witnessed mischievous cats escape through the front door when I would return home. One day, children, being unsupervised children, tore down a few of the front panels which I must admit was all too easy to accomplish. After this incident I decided there must be a better home for me.
My site mate was leaving soon as her term was about to expire so I took up residence with her and now am living in her house which is a step up. Her apartment is all well tiled, much grander in scale and has a double lock metal door and many windows to enjoy the morning sun. I feel secure and have more room than I know what to do with. It consists of a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, entrance parlor and much larger living room where I even found a place to set up a desk to write this blog.
The house is also located near the river and I can enjoy the sounds of rushing water when I fall asleep and the sounds of donkeys braying when I wake. My new home is also large enough to host visitors so for those interested in a visit you are more than welcome and you will be accommodated as if you were a king in my village. I am glad I can share pictures with you but I would be thrilled to have you in my company in my first official house to myself. As the Moroccans would say MrHaba (your welcome).