I will leave this weekend on my trip to Morocco! Note: Syria will be later in the Fall.
After much red tape, way too many phone calls to the Syrian Embassy, a missing passport (and accompanying conspiracy theories) and enough grief from Monica to last a lifetime I am going on my dream vacation. Hooray!
Now many of you have made it abundantly clear that you don’t think I should go. I listened to the myriad reasons why, considered each thoughtfully regardless of how ridiculous (no, I do not believe I will be sold in a souq and sent to live in harem in the Far East) and decided that the risks are minimal and the potential rewards are infinite.
I offer the following story to illustrate how convinced some of you are that this trip is ill-conceived:
When one of my co-workers pressed me to have a little shin-dig prior to my departure, I agreed mostly because I never did get around to hosting a housewarming party. What I didn’t entirely understand until everyone arrived is that the real reason for the party was so they could survey my stuff (furniture, clotes, shoes, wine, etc.) and come to some agreement among the group about who will get what in the event I am kidnapped or killed. Trust me when I say that there is something super weird about turning to the newest woman in the office to inquire if she is enjoying herself only to have her ask if she can have all my framed pictures in the event of my untimely demise. Et tu, new girl?
My boss, bless his soul, didn’t ask for a thing but he can totally have all my baseball history books. He is the only person I know who would enjoy them as much as I do and quite honestly, there is nothing else to leave him. My co-workers were like vultures @ low tide. I was informed by a source close to the negotiations who is not authorized to speak on the record that my shoes and wine are still contested issues but should be resolved prior to my departure. Thank goodness…what a relief! PEOPLE, I will not be kidnapped or killed on my trip!
All joking aside, please don’t worry about me. I am about to have the time of my life meeting new people, sleeping under the stars in the Sahara, eating incredible food and doing my best to have an absolute blast. This is my idea of a good time so just wish me well and share in my excitement. Please remember that I will travel to some remote parts of Morocco where reliable internet access may be limited. While nothing would surprise me in this day and age, I just don’t anticipate that the Berber tent I will call home for one evening will be outfitted with wireless internet access. Now when I visit with the Bedouins, I absolutely expect Wi-Fi. (hehehehe) Anyway, I say all that to remind each of you that if you don’t hear from me one night your first response should not be to call the State Department. Promise?
Expect my next entry on Monday…Morocco here I come!!
