Morocco Collectable

モロッコで買ったティーセット。手書きの模様がなんとも可愛い。あちらでは、これで激甘のミントティーを飲むのです。残念ながら赴任国ではフレッシュミントが売っていないので、もっぱらミルクティーをこれで一人で飲んでる。

Power of Social Media

Currently undertaking a campaign on GBV- the famous 16 days of activism against gender violence. It was the launch day yesterday. I wore my orange polka dots dress and literally ran around the whole day. I even rode in a pick up track to go around the city to organize street skits on the theme of domestic violence, took photos, handed out flyers to pedestrians, shook hands with a new minister of a line ministry and picked up trash after the event.

When I realized, I also somehow became a manager of the online facebook campaign. I have never spent this much time on facebook before. You can find the campaign page through my facebook page. When I post a photo, link or message, immediately people see it, like it and comment on it. Now I understand how it could be addictive.

This "do it all yourself" style campaign is so much work. I only spent a few thousand for this activity, but the amount of actual work that has gone into it is significant.

I thought I had more clever things to say about the campaign and the work, but I am so tired. Going to bed early tonight...  

たいへんだけど、手作り感のあるキャンペーン。週末に集まって、リボンなんかを手作りしていると、なんだかクラブ活動か文化祭を思い出してしまう。今日でまだ２日目。通常の仕事もあるのに、あと14日持つのだろうか心配。

Jeema El Fna, Marrakech

あまりにも可愛くて、安かったので一つ買ってしまった。

スークの中はこんな感じです。

広場の前のテラスにて

証拠

Orange sand in the pocket of my jeans

It was a proof that I was there with you a month ago

My toes sank into the sand 

Each grain absorbed the warmth of Arabian sun 

職権乱用？

One of the best things about my current job is that I have been given some opportunities to travel to other countries. Earlier this month I had two missions back to back- physically brutal indeed yet wonderful experience. I first went to Dhaka for a few days to attend a meeting. The highlight (of course other than the meeting on migration issues) was to see my friend whom I have not seen for almost a year. We just sat in my simple hotel room with lime soda, but it was great to catch up with her albeit a very short time- just over an hour before I ran back to the airport! Then I got stuck in a horrible traffic and nearly missed my flight to the next destination...... Morocco!!

I have been always wanting to visit Morocco. It was really a dream came true. I was there only for three days, most of which I spent attending a conference on gender responsive budgeting, but I tried to absorb "morocco-ness" as much as possible. The conference was inspiring, and I met many nice people, agency colleagues from other countries as well as strong Moroccan women. It was also so nice to (at least try to) speak French. I would say this trip was more like a teaser, and I definitely have to go back there some time with a large suitcase. And you know why!

  

らくだの背中からの景色

A view from a back of a camel. This is how their feet look like. At least one thing crossed off on a list of things to do in life- camel ride in a desert, check! (I am not sure if it was ever my on list, but never mind) I prefer horse back riding, but this was also fun.  

Ocean of Orange Sand

I didn't know a desert can be so stunning. The sand is as fine as powder snow.  Liwa Desert in Abu Dhabi, October 2012