To Be Read: In Morocco

Still not quite sure of the day or time but certain (sorta) of where I am.

The Author via IG

I’m sending this little note out this evening from Morocco.  I’ve been here for just about a week for the delightful purpose of vacation to commemorate my partner becoming a woman (aka turning 40!).  Our journey began during the final days of the spring Mercury retrograde shadow period, so there were delays, gate changes and in our connection in Paris the radar’s went out so no planes flew into or out of Charles De Gaulle Airport for a few hours. 

I’m learning more and more about one of the oldest forms of knowledge but still consider myself a novice. In moments like the days leading up to and during the start of this trip I’ve felt comforted by learning the little details that will help me survive what might be a difficult celestial period.  I read this blog post by Chani Nicholas that suggested I expect delays and miscommunications, and when they happen to laugh; ultimately surrendering to the will of the cosmic gods.  This small piece of advice kept my anxiety from flaring, my eyes from (more than the usual) rolling and kept my petty bickering to a minimum.

When we arrived in Marrakech, we were in the future (at least compared to where we started), the sun was beaming; preparing to set and it was hot as hell.  After getting a SIM card we breezed through the final customs check to meet our driver Mohammed, then checked into our room, and then we ran back out to meet our guide Zaky at the Medina.  We popped around to and through the lively crowds of families of locals and tourists to get the flavor of the square.  I was exhausted but met a family; a woman with her mother and son.  I sat with them to eat snails and was surprised to learn they were from Brooklyn, Bensonhurst to be exact.  At that moment I knew I was going to have a wonderful trip. It’s the moments of serendipity that I LIVE for.

Every day that we’re here I find myself asking what day is it?  I keep forgetting about time and just continue to reflect on place.  The time change has offered me a disorienting relief from the pace of my life back in New York City.  Still not quite sure of the day or time but certain sorta of where I am.  Sorta in that I can tell you where I am, but having a sense of place is more than just a cartographical effort or even a geographical understanding, knowing where you are involves an effort to assert who you are, to have context and to make meaning of those in relationship to your identity. At least that’s what I think now.  

Anyway, this trip is all about rest, relaxation and of course shopping learning. If you’re curious about my trip I’m posting furiously on my Instagram stories. I’ve decided to write about this trip, since I’ve been inspired by the travel writing of literary titan Jamaica Kincaid.  I am deliberately inching my way through her travelogue Among Flower A Walk in the Himalaya.  In it she describes with hyperfocus her dedication and love for her Vermont garden, which thrusted her towards a sojourn of sorts with three companions to search for seeds. I love her writing and have been moved by her sense of place.

So while I vacation here’s rundown of some writing and other dispatches from the bookmarks tab in my phone. Enjoy!

Black Women and Place

I met Johnica Rivers in November 2016, on an influencer cruise ship (don’t ask) in some Caribbean maritime just before the world ended.  We were a part of the handful of Black folk aboard, and we felt the ripple of the tsunami that would be the 45th American presidency, together.  We’ve been friends ever since.  She’s a brilliant writer who has recently returned to public facing writing.  She has two pieces up now, one about her hometown of Fort Worth, Texas and another beautiful ode to her matrilineage in honor of Juneteenth. 

Read them both: here and here.

Dress & Gendered Fashion

My friend Padya Paramita wrote a lyrical ode to Sari’s. Read it here. They are a talented writer with an uncanny sensibility that is inviting and ornate.

Being a Woman in the Military

Stephanie Cuepo Wobby was my grad school Day One and I’m so grateful for her friendship and her feedback.  She penned two dope essays about some of her time in the military.  Read them here and here.

Mothers, Daughters and Education

I’ve been meaning to read Everyday Use by Alice Walker, the short story can be read here.

Women in Music

Meghan Stabile was a force in the music industry, acting as facilitator for musicians to audiences of Jazz and Hip Hop, unfortunately she has passed away.  I met her a decade ago and she is the reason why I know of and love so many contemporary jazz musicians.  Her obituaries are here and here. I pray she finds peace on her next mission.

Social Media Stuff

A twitter thread (about cis-men) turned article by Dayna Lynn Nuckolls.  Here.

Politics

My friends are running for congress.  Carlina Rivera and Aisha C Mills.

Congratulations to you for making it to the end!