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New Blog Category: Expat

One of the really interesting things about having this blog is that I have somewhere to share, or not to share, information. I have always wanted MarocMama to be a resource for other women, other families who were in a similar situation to us. Over the last few months, MarocBaba and I have contemplated what it would mean to make the decision to go back to Morocco – to become an expat.

To live.

Our boys are getting older and we worry that without immersing them in an Arabic-speaking environment they will not be able to achieve fluency, something we both desperately want for them. We’ve thought about this for years but for some reason this winter it really struck us that this move needed to happen now or never.

We’re comfortable here in the US. MarocBaba has adjusted to life here, and it’s our home, but we’ve always felt something was missing. We’ve always wondered, what if we moved? Would we like it? Would it be somewhere we’d want to live? The thought of living in Africa makes me grin. That’s not to say I don’t understand the realities of living in the developing world. Moroccan bureaucracy drives me batty. I don’t speak passable Arabic, and my French has long since faded. I know my level of independence would be curtailed greatly by the language barrier.

But we finally made up our minds.

We’re moving.

August 20th.

Can I tell you how terrifying/exciting/emotional it was for me to sit and stare at a screen flashing 4 one-way tickets to Morocco? My friend Alison reminded me, “frankly I’d be more concerned if you weren’t full of emotion – it’s a big decision!” I have been making endless to-do lists. Every day I’ve made it my mission to do one thing on the list so that August doesn’t roll around with a million things to do in a week.

I wanted to do this. It was my idea!

But before I could buy those tickets I went to MarocBaba and I started to cry. Not because I was sad. Not because I didn’t want to do this, but because I did! I’ve moved before but I’ve never moved overseas, not like this. In that moment I saw everything I had put MarocBaba through.

My impatience and cavalier about his immigration to the US. I couldn’t wait for him to get here. I pushed – hard – for him to leave immediately. I realized I never really thought about what it meant. Frankly in that moment I felt like a big jerk. The gravitas of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks. He told me “you know what, let’s sleep on it, and tomorrow we’ll buy them together. But, don’t think for a second I’m not going to take care of you when we’re there.”

I will miss my mom terribly. I will miss my sister, and my niece and nephews, that make up my everyday. I will miss autumn in the Midwest and the first snow in the crisp winter air. I will miss Christmas with my dad, and the spring thaw. But you know what, we’ve got a million memories to make.

Every morning I can walk up the stairs to our roof, and see the Atlas Mountains stretching across the sky. I can walk to the market every day and get the freshest, in-season produce. I’ll be learning a language that I’ve worked hard to become conversational in. I’m going to learn how to make all of the foods I haven’t figured out yet.  I have the opportunity to get to know my mother-in-law, sister in-laws, and loads of nieces and nephews. We’ll be able to explore Morocco and even take a trip here or there to Europe.

You’ll be here won’t you?

I do hope you’ll take this journey with me.

Sharing is caring!

Harissa Mayonnaise - MarocMama

Tuesday 8th of July 2014

[…] part of my preparation to move to Morocco, I’ve been trying my hand at creating things I know may not be easy to find or won’t […]

.melinda Abdelmonem

Monday 6th of May 2013

I understand completely how u feel .I keep asking my husband can we please move to Egypt or Emirates .I want my children to learn arabic more and Islam also .I keep thinking i want my boys growing up in a muslim country and to be around there family . i wish u the best for doing this for ur family . we went to Egypt last summer i didnt want to come home .I love my husband family and i want to learn more Arabic to speak to family .. Have the time of ur life !I pray I will be going to soon to my husband country .

Ferial

Saturday 4th of May 2013

Mabruk Amanda May Allah make your and your family's move and transition to life in Morrocco easy, aameen. May Allah grant you comfort and ease, so that you are able to bear the distance from your family here in the US and May Allah make it possible for you to see them from time to time, aameen. Please let me know if you will be able to take anything for the children in the orphanages there Insha Allah. Enjoy your new adventure Insha Allah!

Pat Z

Wednesday 1st of May 2013

Hi - been reading your blog for sometime. I too am American and married to a Moroccan (19 years in July), and we have 2 boys (ages 15 and 17). I know exactly how you are feeling and all of the emotions you are going through. We were living in the USA (Connecticut) when we decided to move to Paris (my husband had previously lived in Paris). It is now coming up on 14 years here and it is home. I still miss my "home" country and my family, especially since my mother is aging. But I do not regret our move. And we are closer to Morocco for trips to the family there. My husband is from Taza. We will be there this summer. Good luck and looking forward to reading all of your moving adventures!

Teresa

Monday 11th of March 2019

Pat Z, I am an American, in which I have met a man from Morocco. This has been an oline friendship, but we would, eventually like to meet face to face. How different are they from American men and if I may ask, how did you meet your husband? Just curious, since I do have concerns, if he is an honest man or trying to use me?

Amanda Mouttaki

Wednesday 1st of May 2013

Thanks for reading and offering your experience. I am finding more and more that there are really a lot of expat families out there! It's been a tremendous confidence boost for me. I know we're making a good choice but I am one to second guess myself!

Laura

Wednesday 1st of May 2013

HOLY WOW!! That is big news! I will be really excited to read all about it. :)

Amanda Mouttaki

Wednesday 1st of May 2013

Thanks - I can't wait to share!