"Reflections in El Jedida, Part II" by Noor Traina
Oud Dinner in El Jedida
The photo below was taken at a Moroccan restaurant at the Mazagan beach hotel and resort. Elise and I enjoyed most of the space to ourselves. The environment was warm and the decor incredible, with the high ceiling covered in black and metallic fabric and red undertones of the traditional furniture. We sat on sofas that were not too elevated and cushions, as is common in Moroccan households.
Most of all, however, I enjoyed the live oud music. The oud is an instrument that is hollower than the guitar and it is often used to play traditional Arabic and Andalusian music. It places you in an entirely different state, almost seductively. You gotta listen to some live oud music if you come to Morocco!
The oud dinner in El Jedida! Photo credit: Traina, 2019
Journaling at El Jedida
While we were at El Jadida, Elise and I sat on these sofas and responded to prompts in this very homey cafe. One of them was "what is one thing you don't want me to forget?"
While studying in Morocco, both of us experienced unique challenges spiritually, personally, academically, socially, etc. Through navigating these things together, we learned about our most profound beliefs and values.
This is the cafe where Elise and I journaled. Photo credit: Traina, 2019
We responded to these prompts in each other's journals in a way that reflected the ways we have listened to each other closely in these past few months. Then, we read them out loud and that was one of my favorite memories with Elise in Morocco. Reflection and creatively documenting your experience is so beautiful!
