From Colorado to Rabat: Rock The Kasbah
Hey I'm Marie and I've moved with my husband Craig and our kids Sky, River, Jade and Ember from Colorado to Rabat, Morocco. 1. Why did you move abroad?
We want to give our kids a global perspective. We want them to appreciate being an American and what better way than to totally deprive them of the American way of life for two and a half years? Oh and we thought they should try some authentic Moroccan couscous and what better way right?
2. How do you make a living?
I don't. I write a blog. It's free. My husband he's a doctor with the Peace Corps. He supports my blogging habit. And the kids. He supports the kids too. Oh and the kids, they aren't even close to free.
3. How often do you communicate with home and how?
I'm el crappo (sorry I live in a French speaking country, so I should speak French)....le shit at keeping in touch with people back home. I hope they read the blog so they know we're alive.
4. What's your favorite thing about being an expat in Morocco?
I can drive any freakin' way I please!
5. What’s the worst thing about being an expat in Morocco?
We did pick the most exciting time to live in North Africa with all the uprisings, killing Osama Bin Laden, Morocco transitioning from a monarchy into something more democratic and terrorist bombings. So far we haven't felt unsafe or wanted to return home early but we're aware that that could happen and then the adventure would be over.
6. What do you miss most?
- Friends and family (Far above anything else.)
- Foods (I could do a whole list of JUST foods.)
- Soft toilet paper and sit down toilets
- Garbage cans and water fountains
- Pharmacies that are open 24 hours (Cause when your kid needs an enema, he needs an enema.)
- Cleanliness
- Duct tape
- Not needing exact change for everything
- Wearing a tank top and not getting cat-called
- Blending into a crowd
7. What did you do to meet people and integrate in your new home?
Well I've made the very American mistake of smiling at strangers here. I could've made A LOT of new friends that way, but I have stopped doing that so I wouldn't be mistaken for a prostitute.
8. What custom/ habits do you find most strange about your adopted culture?
Strangers coming up and kissing my blond children on the mouth. You see, blond children are considered lucky here in Morocco. Moroccans are extremely friendly and love children, but in America we call people who do this pedophiles. By the way, my children do not consider themselves lucky for being blond in Morocco...
9. What is a myth about your adopted country?
That it's hot. Summers are, but winters are cold and rainy and most houses don't have heat (or air conditioning). The saying goes, Morocco is a cold country with a hot sun.
10. What advice would you give other expats?
Don't take advice from people you don't know.
11. When and why did you start your blog? 
The blog started as a way to keep friends and family informed so they would know we weren't dead. I hope they read it or they've give us a nice memorial service.
12. How has the blog been beneficial?
I figure we've saved thousands of dollars in therapy already.
Marie's blog, Rock the Kasbah
Find out more about being an expat in Morocco with Easy Expat's
Author: texkourganPart of the EasyExpat.com adventure since 2008. Drink, Travel, Write