Getting There

Day 1           
            The coffee was a bad idea. That is the first thought that crosses my mind as we enter French airspace. I can already feel the cough starting in my throat, and I stubbornly hold it back as I peer curiously through the window next to me.

            Already this trip has been a learning experience for me. I wandered to the back of the plane only to discover that the galley was self-serve, though full with a handful of helpful French flight attendants. I met a man from Egypt and we spoke about the current state of North Africa and the Middle East. I know people say you aren’t supposed to talk about politics or religion with strangers, but it seems as though I can’t help myself. He was even helpful enough to offer help providing contact with a nonprofit in Chicago regarding a potential internship this summer. Less than a day into my semester abroad and already I’ve made more progress than an entire summer at home.

            During the flight I would lift the window shade to stare at the clarity of the stars, juxtaposed with the earth underneath. We were so high up I could half-convince myself I could see the curvature of the earth, although I’m sure the image was self-created. Later, as the sun began to rise, we could see sunlight spilled like liquid flame across the floor of clouds.

            The girl next to me was returning to her home in France after a summer in the states, and after some conversing I found out she is from Syria originally. After meeting two people with Arabic ties on my flight, I began to have a good feeling about this semester.

            We got off the plane and I felt completely like an obnoxious American tourist. My nonexistent French made itself painfully known as I helplessly responded in English to every “bonjour” and “sil’vou plait” thrown my way. Luckily, they all knew English and were able to help me to the next terminal. We took the shuttle to the terminal, and I found myself staring at everything at once, camera completely forgotten in my bag. The stop sign gave me pause, because it was written in English. I don’t know what the French word for “stop” is, but I’m pretty sure it’s not “stop.”

            Landing in Casablanca was a breeze, and I met with two girls going to AUI like me. Louisa, from Denmark, spoke enough French to help us get by as we bought tickets to the train station. Hallie spoke some French too, and the three of us made it onto the train with minimal panic. On the train to Fes I found myself struggling to communicate with two Moroccan women who spoke French and Arabic. In the end I spoke Spanish to them, and we were able to make ourselves understood. It hit me then that no matter what language we speak, people can communicate. I felt like I was sharing part of myself as we tried to share stories and advice.

            We got into Fes at around 11 at night, and reached the university at 1 in the morning. I was tired enough that I fell asleep without even unpacking.

Day Two

            I didn’t bring a watch. This morning I woke up to the sun on my face, which was nice until I realized I had missed the time for meeting Louisa and Hallie. After a few moments of frantic movement, I resigned myself to being late and got ready more slowly. Today’s goal would be to get a watch and alarm clock.

            After a rough night trying to make the outlets in my room work (they never did), I slept soundly and made it to the cafeteria in time for lunch. There I met several international students, some who’ve been here for days already. Their excitement for the upcoming semester renewed my own, and having people around who speak English was good for my sanity and self-esteem.

            Following lunch I immediately sought out the library, and it’s a relief to know that libraries are more or less the same anywhere. The outlets work here, so I was able to resurrect my computer and check the time. That afternoon those of us already on campus gathered, and I met quite a few enthusiastic, entertaining, and sometimes baffling people. So many of us here are International Studies majors, I feel at home. After registration a handful of us went into town, where I bought a burn phone (so awesome!). It has a soccer ball on it. Then we went back to the university to have dinner. Everyone here is very friendly, and tomorrow orientation starts for real. I can’t wait.