Blog of the month - April 2008

Travelingmama

Hey there! I'm an American mom, otherwise known as the Traveling Mama, living in the exotic Morocco!

My husband and I, along with our two kids, have been living in Morocco for about 14 months. The current plan is to be here for another two years and then we'll see where life takes us!

Have you ever lived abroad before?

This is my second time living abroad. We lived in Spain for two years and would love to move back someday. In the meantime we are trying to fill up our passports and show our kids the world outside suburban America. I've been to about eleven countries, including much of Western Europe, South Africa, and China.

Even before my husband and I got married we spent endless hours daydreaming about life abroad. We both loved traveling and couldn't wait to experience life abroad long term! After living in Spain we thought we wanted to settle down for a while, so we moved to suburban America and bought the perfect little house (we never got around to the white picket fence.) About six months into the "American Dream" we were bored silly and began making plans to return overseas!

When did you decide to live in Morocco?

I can't say that I really chose Morocco- it seems more like it chose me. Perhaps it had something to do with the intrigue that seemed to shroud the people in mystery . My husband took a job with an NGO that helps bring community development to both rural and urban areas in the Middle Atlas Region and the kids and I happily joined in on the fun.

Any culture shock ?

The Middle Atlas Region of Morocco is so diverse and fascinating. Every day feels like an adventure when I step out my door. Culture shock comes in daily doses and find myself chuckling at things that seem so absurd to me (like people walking on the street while the animals use the sidewalk) and yet no one else even seems to notice!

Do you miss anything from your homeland?

Do I miss anything from the States? I'm super close to my family (I come from a big Greek family. And yes, it is JUST like the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding!") so I miss them constantly. And I really miss Chick-fil-A (it's a southern thing!)

When did you start your blog?

I started my blog in April of 2007 because my husband kept bugging me about how "cool" it was and "everyone" was doing it. After a gazillion times of asking my husband who on earth would want to read a blog about a mom in Morocco, I finally caved in and took the plunge. I'm not completely sure if I had an original intention or if I've found one along the way... maybe just to simply share who we are and all our crazy and dull adventures with an occasional glimpse of projects from my craft table!

Did you make new friends with your blog?

I think I spend more time trying to get my internet to work and actually LOAD my posts than I do actually WORKING on the blog, but I've made tons of friends and LOVE feeling connected to so many people out there in the blog world! I have a long list of friends I am dying to meet in person! I feel like I have friends all over the world!

Why did you register on expat-blog.com?

Small confession about the expat blog... my husband signed me up recently. I'm so not blogger savvy! (tsk.tsk.) But I'm so glad he did! I've been meeting so many new people since he signed me up!

Your best souvenir? Or maybe your worst experience?

It would be next to impossible to concisely tell a "best" or "worst" story about my life as an expat wife and mom. Why don't you stop by for some couscous and a glass of mint tea and we can exchange stories?

Travelingmama

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