I’m sort of having writers block.. I have been in America for about 3 weeks and have pictures of so much of the stuff that I’ve done. I think I’ll just revert to photos and some brief explanations. 
Some shoes I rescued from the harsh unpaved roads of Morocco. I think they will be happy here in America.
This gorgeous creature is my cat Sushi. He was PUMPED to see me when I got home
These precious angels are my brother Miles and my cat Koi, one is smart and one is vicious. Can you tell which is which?
This man wearing the spandex shirt is my favorite professional wrestler, Rob. Never surrender, Never Submit. <33
My family loves boardgames. I think Miles one every game we played while I was here. I’m not great at English….
These boxes are from a donation my Mom took up at Gulf Elementary (where she works, where I worked and where myself and my brothers went to Elementary school) I got a TON of awesome school supplies that I am happily carrying across the universe Thank you so much, Gulf Elementary!!
A photo of some of the supplies I have packed away.
This is my best friend Lance, and his son Xander. Xanders beautiful Momma Nichole is the photographer here. I will miss you guys!
My brothers and I went to SHARKFEST! Basically a local competition where four men venture out into the Gulf of Mexico in kayaks and catch sharks. Not dangerous at all.
Grocery stores are fascinating. I found this gem at one. No, I did not purchase it.
I’m bringing this back for you Molly!!!!!
A wall of oreos. A WALL of oreos. A WALL of OREOS. A WALL OF OREOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Greasy, greasy diner food. Great in theory… but Rob finished it off for me. :)
Miles and I went to Sweet Tomatoes and it was AMAZING. Broccoli for the WIN! (we do NOT have broccoli in Morocco.)
This is me and my cousins Tricia and Alana. This is at Trish’s wedding shower. I’m so glad I got to attend!
This is Sushi again, while we were getting ready to leave for Tricias wedding.
My Mom and I. She is wearing a jellaba bead necklace from Marcias artisans!
Michael, Rachel and Miles.
Wedding rehearsal! I was a bridesmaid along with the grooms sister Candace, another cousin of the bride Mary, a friend Annie and maid of honor Crystal.
The Goodwins practicing for the big day!
Trish and Glenn gave all the bridesmaids their jewelry for the wedding. Beautiful pearl and crystal necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Thanks guys!
My brothers were ushers in the wedding. Zween bzzf!
Flowergirl! My youngest cousin Alana. She didn’t drop one flower down the aisle! she kept them all for herself haha!
Carly and Alana!
Slightly unfocused photo of the bride and groom. My cousin seriously looked like a bride in a magazine.. extremely perfect!
I was cracking up because I was trying to hide my tattoo and Miles was trying to help out with the one near my shoulder. Awkward!
When my brothers got fitted for their tuxedos Miles was told he was the same size as the mannequins, Michaels arms are 5 inches longer than average and my dress had to be taken in 4 sizes!
At the reception at the historic downtown hotel in Fort Lauderdale, called Pier 66. The reception was held in a room that actually rotates giving you a beautiful view of the ocean and city.
The Rubinskis and their Aunt Laura.
Facebook profile picture!!!
My Uncles showing their support for Peace Corps!
My godmother and I. She really had wanted to be a bridesmaid… so got the same color dress as us.
Aly Williams. This was the Grooms Cake. Aly Williams. Best. Cake. Ever. To top off it’s awesomeness it was chili chocolate flavored. Aly Williams.
Carly, will you please come live in Morocco with me? Love, Cousin Rachel.
Cousin Rachel dancing with Aunt Amy, and cousins Cole and Carly! I was so impressed with their dance moves! It must run in the family
This has obviously been extremely photo heavy. But this is what I have been up to in a nutshell. I also got to see my friend Asa in Spain, my friend Pam for amazing, delicious mexican food and great talks, and my relatives Nicky and Linda who have been awesomely supportive. For those of you I haven’t gotten to see I am sorry, there is just not enough time! But there is an open invite for everyone to visit in Morocco for the next year and a half!
I’ll try and get a 4th of July update in later. Inchallah.
America looks awesome. I wish you had more pictures of grocery stores though… I miss them most of all.
Rachel. I see you have another fascinating blog post. This time you were not traveling around your host country ignoring your work, you were in AMERICA! WOW. How you manage to feel you are doing good for Moroccans is beyond me. No. Please explain your purpose there as a volunteer because it is definitely not being represented on your blog which is more of a reason that people believe Peace Corps Volunteers are on two year vacations. This is proof in point.
I can tell that you have not read over my blog very carefully, friend. I have made posts about working at special olympics events, spring and summer camps, and work in my own community. As a matter of fact, the last post was about IST a Peace Corps sponsored training! A lot of my time in site is spent meeting with local government to give me things like access to my place of work, supplies and things like electricity and running water in order to hold classes or clubs. I do have trouble at times finding my niche, and I do hit road blocks frequently while trying to build relationships and get things done. I do work every single day that I am in site, never taking weekends unless I am traveling (obviously). But I think the moral of that story is that I am going back to Morocco for another year and a half.. ready to keep digging my heels in and hopefully accomplish some great things for the people of my village. Even in this blog post you can see I”m bringing back an entire suitcase full of donations for my place of work, and I’m going back to coordinate a national summer camp for children on scholarships from rural villages… I have been thinking about my service while being home AND doing work. I am happy for you if you are accomplishing amazing things in your service but harassing me about my blog is really uncalled for. Don’t you think?
WOW. Dissapointed PCV has issues! Glad you enjoyed your SMALL amount of vacation time at home Rachel. Don’t listen to that idiot. What you are are doing is selfless and wonderful.
Thanks Natasha! I know I shouldn’t respond and all that, but I can’t help myself! I’m glad you are reading my blog. Tell Kenny I said heyyyyyyyy!
We were glad to have you home for a little while and are totally bummed to have to share you with the dark continent once again… I know from our conversations you are ready to get to work in the coming 18 months now that you have adjusted to life in Morocco a bit. Please keep taking time for your sanity as this is your experience and in many years, your experience is what you will remember. You can only do things to the best of your ability and we all know that is what you’re doing. You’re doing incredible things, Rach.
Rachel,
Who is DisappointedPCV? They could not possibly be a Peace Corps Volunteer…an attitude like that would never have passed a preliminary screening to qualify to serve. DisappointedPCV would benefit from your morale boosting activities. I bet your watermelon eating contest was more fun than the Homecoming Dance at Mariner when you brought a profoundly handicapped student. I was so proud to see you bring his wheelchair onto the field and have his picture taken with the cheerleaders. More than one of the handicapped girls attended the dance wearing formals you provided. I’m happy you had a “Prom Night” for the PC volunteers. I could never be disappointed in you…I couldn’t be more proud! Having you home just makes me miss you more! You are my gift to the world. No wonder your Moroccan family and Fellow Peace Corps workers love and appreciate you. Mom
wow!! rachel. am really glad u had lots of fun back home. i know u well and i know u r so kind and humanistic. and we all know u r doing a goood job. and it doesn’t stop there since u get day in day out knowing more about Morocco and ur site actually, i believe u r gonna do all ur bests, and u will do better than u did. so keeep up the goood truck. we believe in ur fuculties to make a difference.
welcome back