Perseverance – Michelle Rodriguez

Woven within the intricate yet durable fabrics of Moroccan society, there lies an element that’s both immediately striking and stimulating. You see it in the hustling of vendors of all sorts within the souks, in the over-100° F heat of the Sahara Desert, in the streets littered among the unknown assortment of objects. Moroccan people and animals alike have strenuously entwined perseverance into their characteristics, and when looking about, this ability pervades the senses so strongly that it appears to be even commonplace among the public. Given that Morocco can still be considered an underdeveloped country, reasons for needing the ability to persevere are obvious if any kind of living is to be made. However, as an observer, there is an aspect of beauty that comes from being able to see a range of individuals and animals engaging in this action of perseverance. Although my words won’t be enough to embody the struggle of daily life of Moroccans, perhaps these pictures will aid in my endeavor.

Recently, in a neighboring hallway in proximity to my host-family’s dar, a kind soul (or serial litterer) had donated a cardboard box in the corner of this hallway. The next morning, a cluster of kittens and adult cats had claimed this object as their domain for sleeping, creating a patchwork of fur and various dream-heavy eyes lazily sparing me a glance. It was interesting to see how this squad of kittens and cats turned a person’s trash into a shelter for warmth during the cold Moroccan nights. No stranger to the occasional cat brawls, instead, these cats chose the art of cuddling to overcome their problems.

Our journey to the blue painted city of Chefchaouen truly displayed the tactful resourcefulness of locals and their willingness to exploit visitors. One particular memory I had while in the city was a striking blue hallway lined with an ornate variety of goods. Located on the left of what could have been mistaken for a good itself lied a small basket with the statement, “One durham for photos”. The sign’s scribe knew he could profit off the beauty of his city, yet his willingness to invent new forms of income were admirable. Additionally, there was a particularly large mural that depicted various peoples moving throughout their daily lives. One particular رجل caught my eye. He stood about five foot four, blue complexion, and a bit preoccupied with a bucket. Although him being a two-dimensional individual, he seemed immersed in the continous labors of the day, and appeared to be in pensive thought on the daily tribulations to come.

As the days wound down towards their last legs in Fes, we visited the Sahara Desert on our final excursion outside the city prior to our departure to the city of Rabat. There, in the sweltering heat and sizzling sand, I met Mr. Noodle. Of course, he was the friendly camel of the Sahara I sat on for that better half of three hours. Despite the scars along his neck and backside, it seemed as though he had formed an especially close bond with Scooby, the seemingly indifferent camel in front of Mr. Noodle. Even amid the immense heat and the trek beneath the scorching sun while carrying completely unnecessary cargo (aka me), Mr. Noodle showed no intention of removing his comfortably nestled face from alongside Scooby’s hip. Their friendship persevered past even the terrible ache in my back from sitting atop Mr. Noodle.

Overall, the adversities faced by residents of Morocco are able to take upon a dual nature, allowing for posibilities concerning the enhancement of sentimental experiences, innovativation, and the formation of a collective group united under hardships. Traditionally, the myriad of touristic features of Morocco that draw local visitors and foreigners alike are generally thought to represent the aesthetic parts of the country. This essay and its entourage of images hopefully depicted the less common narrative.