Lift off... sort of!

Well... We think we are ready.  We fly tomorrow!

Anything we are missing now is part of the adventure.  Often, on the way to NYC Greg says to Ruth "I hear there are stores in NYC." Whatever we have forgotten is usually found within 10 steps of the apartment.  

Though Morocco is not exactly the Sahara desert, (except the part that is...) We think we will be able to fill in whatever blanks we have in our kit along the way, just not as easily as NYC!

The cats are really puzzled by all the commotion,

 and... though they are demanding an explanation, we are not telling them where we are going, or how long we will be gone.  It is just none of their damned business. As cute as they are, we just don't trust them.

We spent some time with a bunch of our friends and acquaintances over the Jewish holidays and more than a few questioned our sanity in taking this trip at this time.  (MERS, Ebola, and ISIL were the most commonly raised concerns.)  

So, a few more quick words about why we are going to Morocco:

* Though closer geographically to the affected regions of west Africa, the risk of Ebola in Morocco is similar to the risk in Seattle.

* MERS -  Cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome have been reported in:

• Iran
• Jordan
• Lebanon
• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates
• Yemen

NOT Morocco.  There MAY have been a case in a Saudi tourist visiting Morocco in 2013 so... We are not too worried.

*ISIL - yep... we are a little worried about terrorists everywhere.  Greg says "I sat in synagogue and worried about terrorists, I worry a little all the time."  It is a calculated risk to leave your house.  We are going to keep our heads down and choose to experience life instead of cowering in fear.

Morocco has always been a supporter of moderate Islamic teaching.  By choosing to visit, we are supporting this effort.  For every nasty thing you read on the internet, there is something positive, like the campaign underway that has everyday citizens stating"not in my name" in response to fundamentalist terrorists. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71T9MP6lQlo

We hope to learn more on this trip about real Muslims, the majority, the ones who follow the peaceful traditions of their faith. Not the bloodthirsty terrorists that are corrupting one of the world's great religions.

It would be a shame to judge all American Christians by the actions of the Westboro Baptist Church, KKK, or any number of groups that claim to be Christian.  Or to judge American Jewry by its most radical elements.

Here is a good article about the positive steps being taken in Morocco to fight the spread of fundamentalist Islam: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/nov/25/morocco-trains-500-imams-to-counter-spread-of-radi/?page=all

So... off we go.  Off the high horse now and into decadent travel pleasures.  Don't worry - this blog will be more about food and less about politics from now on!

Ila al-liqa'a

Greg & Ruth