What I discovered…

By Suzanne Jumper

I came to Morocco to research water usage. I wanted to tie in my studies and find possible intervention points to improve water management. In order to find intervention points, I have to understand the current situation. So this is what I discovered…

1. As a whole, in Morocco, water seems to be more of a public good. People go to public bathhouses called hammams about once every week. It is very basic. There are two pipes, hot and cold, with spickets that line the extent of the room. We were each given a bucket and claimed a spicket. We filled the bucket up as needed to shower and wash. I think I used 3 buckets total. I cannot even begin to imagine how many buckets one shower takes. In the more rural communities, people gather water from communal wells or from the river. Also, women take their laundry down to the riverbed to wash. I am not sure if they use soap, but if not, it is a lot more sustainable than our washing machines.

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Missing Morocco

By Suzanne Jumper

We hopped on a ferry bound for Spain and said goodbye to Morocco. We said goodbye to the chaos: motorbikes zipping through tiny medina alleys, the not-so-pedestrian-friendly crosswalks, the market stall salesmen trying to get your attention and the bumpy-swervey roads. Once we entered Spain, I felt my body relax as I found comfort in the known. The roads were straight and not a pothole in site; I could actually sleep on the bus without getting sick. I could cross at a crosswalk and not fear for my life. I could walk down the shopping center and not be pulled in a zillion different directions.

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Sustainability in a desert oasis

By Suzanne Jumper

We are on the edge of the Sahara. In one direction, it’s flat and brown spotted with nomadic tents backscaped by the Algerian Mountains. In another direction, there is nothing but sand dunes. As we drive, we pass signs of life in the form of palm tree oasis. I look back behind me, and see the mud thatched buildings that make up the town of Merzouga. I am befuddled by the existence of a town in this environment. Yet life exists here along with a booming tourist industry.

We arrived in Merzouga, jumped on a camel and sauntered into the Sahara Desert for a night. The following day, we toured the desert through sand dunes and drank tea with nomads. Aside from high winds and sand in the face, it was interesting to see another life perspective. I appreciate new experiences and gaining new cultural perspectives. However…I’m torn by the sustainability of it.

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What is sustainable development?

By Suzanne Jumper

I jet-setted over to Morocco to research water usage, scarcity and general availability. Morocco has a Mediterranean climate and there are regions where annual rainfall is less than that in Phoenix. Additionally, Morocco has suffers from inconsistent rainfall and several years of drought. With that in mind, and the fact water is such a valuable resource, I wanted to see how water as perceived and what they were doing to solve this problem.

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Spain and Morocco-bound

By Suzanne Jumper

I am sitting on a plane destined for Madrid. I’ll be gone for 40 days: Morocco, Spain and leisure travel to Portugal and Ireland. Packing the past few days has stressed me out. I need clothes that are culturally sensitive to Morocco, yet are cool for summertime temperatures. However, the High Atlas Mountains will be chilly, Portugal’s highs will be in the low 70s, and Ireland will be rainy and in the 60s.

I’m faced with the dilemma of how to pack. I do not want to over-pack, nor do I want to under-pack. Also I will use RyanAir to go between travel destinations and they are sticklers on carry-on baggage standards and checked luggage weight. I don’t want to lug around any extra weight. I need to be lean and mobile. So, I ended up with six pairs of lightweight pants, three shorts, two rompers, 12 shirts, four pairs of shoes, five pairs of socks, 14 pairs of undergarments, travel-size toiletries, normal toiletries and snacks. I fit it all into two carry-on sized bags; one to be my travel bag and the other to store until the study abroad begins…I will need to do laundry.

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