Blog 16: Katie

After arriving back to our host community from our mid-trip reflection in Fes, we started our student-led soccer camp. As we played soccer in the sun, I began to realize that I was becoming defeated every minute that went by playing under the blazing sun. It didn’t help either that air conditioning wasn’t as accessible like it was in Fes. After 2 hours went by, along with a few games of pool, we returned back to our homestays for lunch. As soon as I entered the house, I ran straight to the couch; something about playing soccer in the sun turned my energy level non-existent. After an unknown amount of time, I woke up to my host sisters calling me to wake up for lunch. As I woke up, realizing that I fell asleep, I was met with the sight of a delicious-looking meal right in front of me. After devouring the plates of food, my host sisters immediately asked if I wanted to sleep– they understood that I was super fatigued. Nodding to their question, I went downstairs to my room to reunite with my bed. 3 hours later, I woke up to a pile of clean laundry right outside my room.

Although today I was met with unfamiliar circumstances, I’ve noticed my host family’s constant care and hospitality. Even though my contribution to the family was very little today, my host family understood my fatigue and supported me in every way; they let me sleep, cooked a meal and even did a full load of laundry for me. They understood that I was needing extra support today, and they did everything, if not more, to help me rest. I am so grateful for my host family. I hope I will have the opportunity to support my host family when they need support, just like they did for me.

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