Our first Moroccan Invite!

What an experience! To fully tell the story I need to go back a few days to last Sunday when Heather and I were coming back from someplace, probably the Hanut. As we were walking into the building one of our neighbors was walking out with a baby. We were saying hello to the baby and he decided that we should come for tea. (the man not the baby) so he hurried us up to his apartment and introduced us to his wife. So there Heather and I were completely stunned that we were having tea with some Moroccan and his wife. We had no clue how to communicate after the little bit of arabic we knew was exhausted, about 2 minutes! :P Somehow we made it through the tea and then he asked us when we worked and when we had time off. We told him that we worked all week (luckily, we had learned the days of the week in orientation) but had weekends off. So he invited us to have couscous with his family on Sunday. What could we do, we tried saying no, but that apparently wasn't an option. So we said okay. What a funny story.
Today was the day. So we all went downstairs at noon and were shown into the main room. It's funny because they just kind of set us in the room, turned on the tv to a British station and then left the room. I think they were finishing up dinner, but it was still kind of funny. Then they brought us some tea. It was Jasmine flavored, and I have to say it is quickly becoming my favorite. I love the smell. We had tea and then were introduced to the daughter who is attending university. She only spoke French however, thank goodness we had Rebecca who speaks fluent french to translate. Anyway, dinner was finally served and it was so good. I was going to attempt eating with my fingers but I figured I was making a big enough mess using my spoon I didn't need anymore help. After dinner we just sat around, sometimes it was very silent and other times there was a lot of discussion in French. I was happy to practice picking out french and arabic phrases or words that I know. I'm happy to report that I can pick out so much more than when I first got here. Our time there ended when the family gave us a figurine that I'm betting they've had for quite a while. It's chipped in spots but I guess it's the thought that counts. All in all our first Moroccan home visit went well I think. Oh wait, I forgot to tell you about this milk that they served that was really not good. Apparently they let it sit out and ferment, until it's almost curdled. I took one drink and the guy was like "coca?" I was trying to put on a good face but he saw right through it and said "coca!" and went out to get some soda. I have to say that I was incredibly relieved to not have to drink it.