I didn't know where she had gone, until enough people had gotten off that she could make her way back to her bags. My friend, who had just arrived from the United States, was shocked. She couldn't believe the girl had just left me with her suitcases.
The level of trust people have in each other here is very different than back home. People trust each other because they are all looking out for each other. It is a community-based society. If I had tried to take those suitcases, I have no doubt the ten other people squished next to me would have stopped me.
I have countless stories that are about kind people here. Last week, I was at the post office buying stamps to mail postcards to the U.S.. Since I was buying stamps to the U.S., the woman asked me if I had family there. I explained I was from there, and that I had been living in Tetouan this year. After selling me stamps, she gave me her telephone number, and told me I was always welcome at her home for a meal and to call her if I needed anything.
Can you imagine if you went to the post office in your town and the person selling stamps even inquired into your personal life? I'm not saying there are not kind people in the United States. It's just a different way of practicing kindness. Moroccans go out of their way to help strangers and to make foreigners feel welcome. So many things about daily life here are unpredictable and uncontrolable, but I always know things will work out because I can count on this Moroccan hospitality.
It has also changed the way I think about how I treat others. I'm trying to learn from the Moroccans and be more open and kind, even if that means adjusting my plans.
