Elton John and Strasbourg/Fries Value Meal

A poem I just wrote for you:

My Little Kitty

Peace Corps service passing by
Its hard to see time fly
But I look at you, my little friend
Covered in Orange, white, Black, and Gray blend

I talk to you, and your tail goes up.
I leave you, and you rip up my toilet paper.
I see you growing, and maturing.
Into a fine young cat women.

You try to tell me you want babies.
I tell you adamantly, “No!”
You still don’t understand.
You are my companion though.

Remember that time you got stuck
In that plastic bag for sure
Or the time you sounded like a lion
when you stole that chicken bone

What a ridiculous poem?!?! I re-read it and can’t believe I am letting myself actually keep this here. Oh well.
Impromptu poetry. Anyway onto the topic at hand.

I want to close your eyes, and visualize a place where Elton John, and a Strasbourg (sausage of some sort) meet. I don’t want to know what you are thinking. Please don’t tell me. Keep those thoughts to yourself please.

My precious readers, if you were to say that Elton John and Strasbourg/Fries met in Rabat last week, you would be correct. I was also in Rabat, getting myself medically checked/cleared for my Mid-Service Medicals.

Essentially, I did a number of things. Sorry it might get graphic/gross, but here is the order:
- Gave urine Sample, Got TB test
- Gave stool sample #1
- Gave blood work
- Gave stool sample #2
- Went to Dentist/ Teeth Checked/Cleaned
- Went to Doctor – Physical
- Environment program stuff (work)

I was checked for all sorts of things, anemia, TB, whatever urine sample screens and blood screens. As well, cavities in teeth, and parasites in the system.

Overall, I checked out pretty clean… having only one little friend in my system. A nice parasite, that gives me few problems (save once a month if that) and will continue to stay in my system, as I will not treat him. I also have no cavities, and health is doing well.

Rabat was a number of things. Crazy was one of them. Fun happens to be another. It just so happened that one of the big Morocco music festivals was going on, and I was able to see the following shows (with small review attached):
- Suen Kuti – Afrobeat extraordinaire. Son of Femi Kuti, pioneer of the genre. From Niger. Fantastic set, full of energy and stage presence
- Thievery Corporation – They were fantastic, Trip-Hop downtempo electronic from Wash. DC. My favorite of the festival (followed by Kuti). Seeing them is a must. Wish it was smaller venue.
- Elton John – Good music, getting old though. He just seemed to be going through the motions, but whatever… it was Sir Freaking Elton John. Had to see him.
- Alpha Blondy – Reggae from West Africa. Good stuff, crowd was fantastic to watch.
- Santana – Fantastic set, filled with awesome music, and all the classics.

Right now you are probably asking what the heck a “Strasbourg/Fries” value meal is???

WELL, I was trying to stay on a budget, and that combined with my late-night dining meant that the only thing other than McDonalds open was a place to get a imitation sausage (no pork here) on bun and fries. Cover them with mustard and ketchup, and Voila! Strasbourg Frites Value Meal. 16DH or little under two dollars American style. It was filling, but not so tasty I guess, or healthy. I probably had 5 or something during the six days in Rabat. So glad I am done with those for a while!

Back to a bit of serious note though about being halfway through my service:

It is difficult sometimes to think that a year has passed in my Peace Corps service. I mean, I think about it, and getting off the transit into town seems like ages ago, but like yesterday. I grew used to being here pretty quickly, in part due to my experiences in being Nomadic. I now consider it a home, and love when people ask me where I am from… when they mean “originally, where are you from?” I always answer my village, and they look at me as if I am crazy, and ask me again. Eventually I cave and give into their question, but I really feel at home. I mean, I have my friends and my life here, and I make it how cool or uncool it is (depending on the outside viewer.)

The other day someone told me “everyday now is a last of sorts.” I disliked hearing this. I don’t know if I am ready for that to happen. I enjoy my time here too much. Work, friends and nature abound.

However, a new revelation occurred this past week at Medicals. In one year, my new friends and I will part. It didn’t really hit me before, and I mean, I have parted from good friends everywhere I have been. BUT, there are a few people that I will certainly miss dearly, and It will be sad to part. Some of them are locals, but others are fellow Peace Corps Volunteers. Being here means you connect instantly with other PCVs, some more than others.

Last week I was lucky enough to be with my very closest friends in Rabat. They live on other sides of the country, so I rarely see them. It was great catching up, relaxing, and seeing good music with them. I still can’t believe that a year has gone by. Crazy-ness.