h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

A bit un-english this death thing!

An excellent piece. I hope you are fully recovered.

I was at my mother's bedside when she died - that seemed very natural and remarkably 'right'.

thanks for your story.

Why 'un-english'?
I am OK and I wrote the piece out of gratitude for the people who helped me and to try and show that countries like Morocco are not just hotbeds of terrorism but full of very good, skilled and caring people. I suppose there was another reason - death is about the only certainty in life - don't be afraid of it.

Good.

You know, as I read your story, the fact that it happened in Morocco did not impact immediately - it was the human drama unfolding.

It is strange how, even if at a rational level we may believe that in other countries and people are basically 'the same as us' but there are still these lingering doubts deep in our psyche.

Thanks again for your story - I was very moved.

True
I have 110 direct relative here - my wife's family. There are four children - all born in the same year but four generations. Life is different, we have to adapt to where we chose to live. I am just grateful that basic human kindness still exists.

Sorry.
After thought.

re: Un-English- we may be entertained by TV programs like 'Casualty' where death is ever present, but I don't think the experiences of dying and death are normally considered good conversation topics. Too emotional for many. Perhaps this is true also in other cultures, but the 'stiff upper lip' is still perceived as an English characteristic.
Bolstered by the certainties of 'Church' such that we didn't need to think about it.

In our ever secular society spiritual guidance has also made us more insecure over such things.Perhaps it is our own awareness of mortality which we find hard to handle and we do not wish to awaken such knowledge.

I agree and disagree - death has been 'sanitised' in the Western culture. My daughter once asked - during Sunday lunch "Dad - what is roast lamb?". I replied, "Dead sheep". She nearly feinted and became an instant veggie. Here all the children gather round and watch the sheep being slaughtered at Eid al Adha. Here people (mostly) die in their homes with the family around. They bury them pretty quickly but it is expected for the entire family to pay their last respects - if physically possible.
Hiding death creates fear of it - something the church has done. I think that is wrong. As death is the only certainty in life - we should face up to it.

Having been lurking around - I see that you started a couple of limericks threads but have never contributed to 'Limericks - add one line' that has been running for ages. Have a look.

Actually, I just found them on a lurk expedition. I'm feeling a right 'Derbrain'as I failed to make the connection with the Question thread and this conversation which I was feeling guilty - having not responded to you yet. Apologies.

Can't even speak correctly now! Oh dear -going out now speak later

Maffeesh Mushkhilah (alliterated Moroccan for 'no problem')

just curious - is that pronounced as it reads?

mah- feesh, maff-esh or maffe-esh for example.

In Moroccan - mah- feesh.

On the same score - do you know what IBM stands for here?

No idea!

Insh'Allah, Boukrah, Mahfeesh (By the Grace of God - Tomorrow -Nothing) - the standard reply you get when you ask to be paid - actually from the Middle East.

How do people get by if they aren't paid or is it just late?

Ask any, Indian, Pakistani, Nepalese, Sri Lankan, Thai, Filipino,etc as well as a lot of 'Brits' (ghastly term) who work there. I left the Middle East when I realised that I was spending 75% of the working day (and many hours outside it) trying to get paid for work that I had done. In Yemen it was so bad that I would not even put pen to paper until I had been paid 100% in advance. Here (different work) I demand six months in advance, otherwise I would have to spend the entire time chasing accountants.

Good grief! here we haven't a clue really about these aspects of living elsewhere. I don't think I would cope too well language issues asside. How long did it take for you to feel 'comfortable' with the various cultures?

I have lived overseas since 1978 - Nigeria, Saudi, Dubai, Yemen, Qatar, Oman, India and now Morocco. I am an appalling linguist (though I now teach English). Until I came here - no problem, other than Yemen, where I had to learn some basic Arabic or Russian. Moroccan is very different from Arabic and the other language is French - but communication is never a problem. As for the culture - no problem - I remain myself but accept the differences and try and learn from others. You can learn something from the beggars on the street or watching the shoe-shine men. My wife is Moroccan so I have to adapt to her family ways as they have to accept mine. I have never had a problem and if they accuse me of being bad because I don't go to the mosque, I answer, "I have designed and built fifteen - what more do I have to do?"

If you had to, do you think you could live back here? I imagine it might be more difficult than first seems!