 Building stone gardens on my terrace in Riad Kund in Marrakech I’m single, speak English, live w/google translate and smile a lot...people are very kind...i try to learn a few words of Darija as I go and just the effort is much appreciated...if u extend a hand , Moroccans will generally reach out with both hands to make u feel welcomed...I made friends with Moroccan local families and things have been relatively seamless...granted I have an online business and am a writer, so being alone and on my own feels natural for me...I know that’s not the case for everyone...but I find my moroccan friends will check up on me and drag me out of the house at least weekly...and this group is great if u need resources...I think the stress comes from trying to live like a westerner in Morocco unless u have a ton of money, that’s stressful...the hardest part for me has been setting up my life in the USA to get things taken care of...taxes, annual medical stuff I prefer my life long doctorsto deal with, taxes, since my business is primarily American clients, I do have to keep up with those logistics...but so much can be done remotely...I also have met quite a few young moroccan entrepreneurs who really do online business very well who are happy to handle stuff for me...they have been life savers, from finding plumbers to translators, to getting me a driver to the vet; I actually met them online, read reviews and hired them, they’ve taught me the ins and outs of everyday living ...and when u meet someone in business who extends a hand of trust, returns ur texts ASAP, walks you through a process, u hold onto that relationship...I’ve met quite a few tech saavy moroccan entrepreneurs who are willing to do some of the heavy lifting when it comes to figuring out how to get things done...I did not make a grand plan when moving here...I sorted out how I would make my living, got an apt initially through Airbnb ad figured it out as I went along...using google/social media for everything...that’s actually how I survived moving to nyc, the same pretty much worked here...honestly the internet makes almost everything possible...In terms of trusting people...everything is business...if someone is prompt and wants ur business and will take the initial risk, go for it...u have nothing to lose and bec they want ur business, they will make any negotiation possible... Building stone gardens on my deck...
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