Bright Red and Belting out the Moroccan National Anthem

In case you were wondering, the subtitle of Leanna's Service in Peace Corps Morocco is: "Two+ years of life-altering embarrassment. "

Between various stomach issues and continued correction of my active use of tunsi (Tunisian Arabic) or fusHa (Modern Standard Arabic) I have been doing a solid job of showing just how bright red a white person can get when they are embarrassed. Well, I thought I had. Then, came the group singing and games that I was always nervous about in any context. I could talk to 10,000 in any language I know enough without batting an eye, but ask me to sing to anyone but Hunter and I melt.

Needless to say I was chosen first for just such a game in a roomful of Moroccans. Roughly, you say something that translates to "It pleases me, it pleases me" and then sing a song you like - the game works because after just a sentence everyone else picks up and sings with you. I stood racking my brain, HOPING beyond hope that some moderately well known poppy song would crash into my mind. I ran through everything I listen to on my regular playlists (the 90s rock station + everything Paul Simon was ever a part of) quickly in my head and stood silent. Finally, I was red enough that one of the girls saved me by leaning forward and whispering 'Shakira' and I pulled a 'Waka waka hey hey, it's time for Africa.' Bullet dogged. 

We played a few more games which I understood but could not really sing along to, and I disappeared to check in on a friend who I was nervous needed help. I came back in and from the back of the crowd was targeted. The leader of the group said, "Sing something in Arabic.' OBVIOUSLY the only thing I could think of in the moment was the Moroccan National Anthem, so beat red, facing a crowd of let's say, thirty total, I sang the anthem which I had learned through a translation and presentation homework assignment.  THANKFULLY they stood up at his request and joined in. I managed to turn purple red at least 3 times tonight. 

Moral of the story... I have to apparently learn some English pop songs. Other point, I am so ready to break out some el General (the Tunsian Rapper I was obsessed with circa 2011) when they least expect it. Also, next time I get put on the spot I am going to belt out 'Allah Allah ya baba, Sidi Mansour ya baba.'

Otherwise though, today I felt useful. Finally, really useful. My training group sat in a room of Moroccans all in their low to mid-twenties, and set up a schedule to teach them English and them teach us some darija (the Moroccan Dialect of Arabic) in exchange. I took the lead in the conversation and learned that I HAVE to get over saying, "kima tahib" ('as you like' in tunsi) because no one here knows what the heck I am saying…and that I have to figure out how the hell to say 'you all want' correctly ('baGiitou' -for future reference) because I tried 10 times then said it in tunsi then just pulled a tureedoun in fusHa because that meant they would at least maybe understand me (they did, and all laughed/smirked accordingly…the 4th shade of red). 

SOOO We have plans, we start teaching English on Tuesday to a whole host of people who are damn excited about it. We are picking up their textbook from them tomorrow to make sure we help them learn what they actually want to learn!!

I'd call today very successful. 

Now for lots homework and a day off. My plan is to try to find an ill-described location of an illusive waterfall….inshaAllah I will take a picture tomorrow after all!