1 Doc, 1 Ortho, and 2 PTs Later....I'm 10 Weeks Post Surgery! (again)

Friday was 10 weeks post (2^nd) surgery!!!!

I remember the last time it was 10 weeks post (1^st surgery) and getting ready to leave the country…feeling ok, and finishing up with PT.

I also remember distinctly saying goodbye to my surgeon with a hug, and saying “I will follow up at Christmas.”

When I look back now and think about how I almost didn’t listen to my body and make that final appointment after I took that ONE and only short walk on the beach, because I was too embarrassed to go back to him after I just said ‘goodbye’ 4 days prior…. is so crazy!

Thinking about that day:

On my way to sell my car, literally with the title in my pocketbook…

Having the doc touch the now sore ankle that was supposedly 10 weeks healed…

Looking at him as he took deep breathes, rubbed his hands through his hair, and licking his lips as if preparing a speech. 

After touching my ankle and hearing him utter the words,

“Your tendon has dislocated, I don’t know why but you will need emergency surgery tomorrow and therefore you will not be leaving for Morocco in 5 days.” 

Ummmm…excuse me? You are fucking kidding me right?!!!
Is this some sort of cruel joke?

I swear, that moment, I will Never forget!

You research, you plan, you make a million arrangements, you work hard towards a goal, you check things off the never ending lists, and then the unexpected comes…the things in life that happen to “other people”…. well this summer I got another dose of “you are NOT in control Catalina”…the universe had other plans for me. And getting another surgery was the plan.

Waking up to hear “you have an infection” that led to a 5 day hospital stay, followed by home IVs and weeks and weeks of antibiotics was SOOO not the plan.

It is kind of funny now that I think about it. Funny in the fact that one would probably question, was I meant to live abroad at all?

Was the universe telling me not to go?

If it wasn’t for the fact that 1,000 arrangements were set in place, and let’s not forget, my ever-flowing persistence to follow out a plan, especially one I created for almost a year.. I may have postponed it.

One may call it ‘stubbornness’…But I knew, it was Going to happen…. even if it killed me.

So here I am…10 weeks post 2^nd surgery and feeling “ok”…. I would say at the 8-week mark my body and spirit started to bounce back, and I’m beginning to feel like myself again. I'm not going to lie. It was a shakey start. I don't know the Quran, but when the call to prayer would blast through the streets, I took the opportunity to say a few words in my head. lol 

When I look back at the pics I took of my ankle, (eeekkkk!!!) and think about the memories of being pushed in a wheel chair through 3 airports, the walker, cane, the boot I used to get here, the way I hobbled around, the PAIN I pushed through to just get through the school day, the cabs I took to only go 3 blocks, the hours of elevating and icing, I can hardly believe one would even attempt such a challenge!

Who was I? Crazy girl? Perhaps. I swear, I don’t think I would Ever do that again!!!

And if I met someone who did, I might think they were crazy themselves.
Moving to Africa 14 days post ankle surgery with an infection?...Nuts! 

I suppose when you want something bad enough, when your heart and mind are ultra focused…. a different part of you takes over. I dug deep for sure…very deep.

I am happy to say I am feeling SO much better! I have a ways to go, but I’m finally on the up and up.

I joined a gym. While it is expensive, I know it will be worth it. The gym is where I feel like myself. The gym is where I like to challenge myself. Being in a place so far from home, I feel like the more I can connect to ways of ‘normalcy’ will make the upcoming months a little bit easier.

Some days I feel like I am on vacation. Other days, I am reminded of the commitment I made to this school and realize it will be a while before returning to ‘my’ normal. I really do love it here, and have been spending more time ‘getting lost’ through my neighborhood so that I can understand it better. I am finding new places to eat and visit with the help of 2^nd year colleagues and have a Lot of traveling still to come. I really feel lucky.

Reminding myself constantly to be ~Mindful in Morocco

 Meet my orthopedic doctor here in Marrakech....the last time I was in his office he reminded me to talk slower....I had so much to say, my fast NY talking took over. lol

 One of the gyms I was looking at to join.

 Yes, the prince picture is even in the workout room.

 You can't believe how freaking expensive these gyms are yet the food is so cheap! Grrrr....

 My new PT office....so grateful! I like this place much better!

 Ok, bike. Me and you.....it's been a while.

 The PT girl is so nice to me. She is the one I throw in some Spanish words to....only because I know so little French. She is wonderful, and laughs at me because I keep trying to do more exercises than she wants me to.

Birthdays and Assembly Like No Other

I'm still getting used to elementary birthday celebrations here. I have had 3, and each seems to top the next. Homemade amazing cupcakes, and cakes being delivered. What surprises me the most is the candle lighting by the parents. I'm all nervous....but when I look around the room everyone is acting like it's nothing. Funny how we get so conditioned in a particular setting.

I think this was a horn or tusk on the cake. lol

The boys are VERY into soccer here....I better brush up on the teams.....or not. :)
They wear their full uniforms to school.

Today was a special assembly for grades K-5^th grade. We celebrated United Nations Day. Between staff and teachers, we represent over 30 countries. Certain students were selected from each class to create a presentation (1 or 2 minutes) about their country. This was done completely on their own at home (well I’m quite sure their parents helped them). I had 3 students participate: one from Switzerland, one from England, and one from Scotland. 

Close up of Moroccan Kaftan....I think it's absolutely beautiful.

This assembly was done so nicely and I think everyone left feeling a little bit closer in spite of knowing  how far across the globe we all come from.

This girl is from New York!!!!       New York in the house....whoop, whoop!

It's a small world after all~

1st Muslim Holiday

We just had our first week off in observance of the Muslim holiday called Eid al Adha, also called the Feast of Sacrifice. Now obviously I have never heard of this holiday and therefore did not have to teach too much about it. The Arabic teachers handle that. However, we did discuss it in class and the students told me what it was about, in their own words and how they celebrate. We even were invited to a small presentation by one of the Arabic teachers. I found it very interesting and somewhat bothersome mostly because I feel bad for the sheep. I suppose it isn't too different than killing a turkey for Thanksgiving except turkeys are not cute. 

Sheep are cute....they are fuzzy and they look at you. 

And they eat out of your hand. lol...

And they ride on mopeds with people holding them all cuddly...

Except they don't know they are going to be tied up and slaughtered. 

Ok, I have to stop.

Pics will tell the rest....

Presentation last period of the day...

One of my students made this for me to explain the holiday....precious. 

Some of the sheep are put on the back of a car in a wagon.

My student wrote this for me. It is the story of Eid....this goes in my "teacher memory file" for sure!!!

I was in a cab...this what I saw....

Student drawing...

I can't.

Omg. Does it not look like the freaking sheep is looking where he is going? lol

Bye, Baaaa......sheep!

So I fled the country for the holiday.
I escaped all the craziness.
At least for now.

At Morning Meeting on Monday we sat in a circle as we usually do (as I have done on Long Island for the past 9 years) and we share about our weekend.
These kids spoke about boiling sheep heads, blood being drained, the men that were hired for the slaughter....the uncle who got cut trying to slaughter, and giving the extra meat to the poor.

I sat and smiled....and cringed, and smiled. I asked questions.
And I told them about my Tapas experience in Spain.....lol

My name is Catalina and I'm addicted to Hammams.

First a hearty breakfast at Bianco Ice. This is the place with the amazing pistachio gelato. And apparently delicious eggs cooked with herbs in a tangine....yummy!

http://www.madein-marrakech.com/fr/bianco-ice-22231.html

From left to right: A yummy crepe type thing....a Moroccan pancake, an English muffin (first I have seen since being here) and what appears to be cream of wheat. Carb city. :(   (only ate 2 outta 4)

It's been 4 weeks in a row now....every Saturday or Sunday I find myself exploring a new place for a hammam and truth be told, a massage afterwards. Well, after all I'm already clean, undressed and relaxed....I feel it's only natural to get a rub down....move the toxins out. :) right?

All the girls here laugh at me, and some have not even had one!!! (Which I think is crazy!) They are SO cheap! Today I found a new place, which is about a 5 min walk from my apartment. When I walked in they said they were running a promotion....promotion?!!! I'll take it!!!

They led me to the changing room....here is a look inside...

Who has keys to a locker like this? I knew I would like it already.....lol

This is inside the changing area where you slip into a robe and then she asks me what shoe size I am. I tell her 8. She then says 38? Ah yes.....38, forgot European sizes....you think I would get it by now....I don't live in the US....EVERYTHING is different!

Then they bring out a white pair of crocs. Crocs? Wonder why I need these?

I was taking into an even darker hallway than I had ever been before...I think she lead me by hand. lol
All the walls were black marble....sorta like a fancy fun house. Except it smelled SO good and clean.

I was taken from chamber to chamber to be washed and scrubbed, using Moroccan black soap (this soap is made from the kernel of the olive nut and has wonderful exfoliating properties) she also rubbed  Rhassoul - this wonder clay, mined from deep within the Atlas Mountains, has a list of benefits as long as your arm. She put this clay all over me (including my hair) and she said "madame....something, something...."  Which somehow I knew meant she would be back in a little bit. So I lay on my stomach on a hot bed of marble. The rooms are only lit with one small light. (Thank G-d!) No need for bright light during the "Silkwood" scrub down. I always point to the scar on my ankle so that they don't tear the shit out of the new skin trying to heal. And when they see it they always make a 'tsking noise' lol

Each Hammam is just as abrasive....they wear a special scrubbing mitt called a gome, this course mitt will effectively remove all your dead skin cells, and increase the circulation in your arms and legs, helping to reduce cellulite. Come on now!  Who doesn't need more circulation in the body and less cellulite? Ya see....it's a win-win situation. 

I found out what the crocs were for. Because I was up down, and all around so much the floor becomes Very slippery. As a matter of fact when just flipping over from stomach to back you feel like a slab of meat yourself (from all the soap on the table) I don't like that part....I just turn as graceful as one can in a  situation where you are naked and vulnerable sorta. 

In between hammam and massage I was brought to another room for a break and served the typical sweet mint tea. The view outside was a small patio garden with big ass pots of bamboo and vines growing everywhere. Inside there was typical soft American music playing and Buddhas all over. Just so darn relaxing!!! 

Time to walk home refreshed and rejuvenated. Time to start lesson planning for the week and preparing lunches. I had a Wonderful week off and could not ask for more. I feel so lucky. So grateful. 

Remaining ~Mindful in Morocco

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