Cianna Smith

My Reflections

Mental state, Observations, and Curiostities

My Reflections

Reflection #1 05202025

So far, the first couple days in Morocco have been a little bit disorienting mainly because my suitcase was not put onto the same flight as me, so my routine was interrupted in some ways. I think when going abroad its really important to maintain a routine not only because it will allow you to keep track of your things and to be more efficent, but because in a way it cements your personal identity and allows you to have an anchor amongst your now changing world. Despite this slight inconvience, I could have honestly cared less about what was in the suitcase. I was so focused on the fact that I was even standing in Morocco in the first place that at some point I had forgotten that there was a suitcase I was missing. While me and the rest of my new classmates explored the city of Tangier, I really came to adore the ambiance and vastness of the Old Medina's Souks. The Souks sold Amazigh silver work, Moroccan Jilabas, and other traditional Moroccan art forms. Walking up and down through the allyways of the Old Medina was an experience of art in itself. There were works of Moroccan Zellige plastered onto the arches of doorways and ceilings. In terms of food, I'm in heaven. I think I've had Tagine 3 times and a row, and no matter where I get it, it's always amazing, The bread is also so so good.

Reflection #2 05272025

"My experience so far has been anything but boring. Not only did Tess AND Jenna injure their feet, but it required me to really test my Arabic and French Language skills; asking for ice, bandages or other medical accessories. I've noticed, through the processes of having to ask for so many things, is that Moroccans for the most part are very patient. Maybe because its obvious that I'm a foreigner, but their everyday lives seem to move at a completely different pace than that of in the United States. There is a sense of appretiation for thy neighbor and the world around them. People lay on the grass in the middle of the day with friends. Friends sit for hours discussing the miscellaneous moments of life over coffee or teat into the wee hours of the night. Families sit together watching the crashing waves in the whistling wind, while the port lights of spain flicker in the dark distance of the night. There is a warmth that surrounds the Moroccan people, like they are all connected without even knowing each other. This is something I've found that the U.S. severely lacks. familiarity. The lack of "third-spaces" or areas where people can come together in company with-out cost is few and far between, almost impossible to find.

Reflection #3 06082025

This past week was pretty interesting, as we traveled from Tanger to Marrakech. There were stark differences not only in the overall landscapes but in the way people treated you, the prices of food, and the overall vibe; which heavily contrasted with the warm inviting feel I had recieved while being in Tanger. The temperature in Marrakech was dry and hot, to the point where I could feel the moisture leaving my hands as we go closer to Marrkech from Casablanca. To some extent it didn't even feel like I was in the same country. While exploring the hotel and the surrounding stores, I was honestly shocked to see how many other tourists were around. It felt like I could not SEE a single Moroccan person. To elaborate on this idea, the wealth disparity between the Moroccans and European tourists became glaringly clear; ironically when I was looking down from our gotel room window. I could see the pool and all the tourists sitting pool-side, which on the other side of a wall no more than 20 feet were shacks and heaps of trash in which stray dogs fought amonsgt. In a way, I became more self aware of my presence as a tourist and in what ways I was contributing to this disparity. I remember seeing a video on instagram where a Moroccan man was asked why he was sad, and his response was that "This life is hars, we want a good life just like the Bourgeois tourists who come here". I became even more attentive to the Moroccan peoples' treatment by the tourists and how they reacted to them. To some extent I began to feel like a clown in a corporate meeting.

Reflecting on our experience in Morocco

Week 2

The importance of photo journalism?

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse