Nadia and my new Sunday routine

Today (Sunday) was the first day that Nadia came to help me clean house. Nadia is a lovely young woman, the cousin of a friend of a friend. Nadia works all week and has part time work on Saturday. Sunday is her day off, and it was the only time that she could find free time in her regular schedule to start coming to my apartment to clean. I’d hoped that she could stay for an hour or two (the amount of time that 200 Dh could buy me), and help with the kitchen and bathroom/WC. She ended up staying for four hours, refusing things like drinks and pain au chocolat, and displaying a pretty amazing work ethic. She also didn't ask for more money, and identified work (like cleaning rugs) that she wants to do next time.

Today, not only did she scour the rooms where I really needed help, she also cleaned the huge salon marocain, the TV room, and the dining room. All on her "day off"!

I’m lucky as well, because Nadia is also a very good cook and she’s offered to make fried Moroccan pastries and even chicken for me next time. Ok, the chicken’s not for me (I’m vegetarian), but the pastries quite frankly don’t stand a chance!

I will mention that Nadia came today with another cousin who acted as our interpreter. Next week, though, we’re on our own. Nadia now represents just one more reason I need to stick with my Derija classes. It’s nice to have such good excuses to try learning Moroccan Arabic.