Pardon, what's that you say Governor?

Rabha and I finally got our anxiously awaited appointment with the province governor. After a couple weeks of not hearing anything, I encouraged Rabha to give his secretary a call and see what the hold up was. I still don't know what the hold up was, but we were given an appointment for 11am the next day (February 21st). 

Since the bus is the most inexpensive way to get to Midelt, we took the bus at 7am which put us in Midelt at 9am. With two hours to waste, we made a visit to the bank, post office and super marche (very small grocery store carrying a few 'luxury' items such as cheese, cereal, and pasta). 

We then hiked up the hill to the governor's office/home...two separate buildings, but both contained behind high fencing and military protection. The governor is appointed by the King and it's a lifetime position, unless the King isn't happy with the work in which case the governor is replaced. 

We arrived a few minutes before 11am, checked in with the secretary and took a seat in the waiting area. I didn't bring a book with me, seeing as we had an appointment and I thought we would be in and out and on the 1pm bus back to Toon Town...Silly me. Watch check, 11.30, 12, 12.30, 1, 1.30, I am now impatient and pacing around in the courtyard, annoyed and wondering when the 11am appointment will take place. 

Finally, at 2pm we get a wave to enter what I thought was the governor's office. It was actually the secretary's office...the other office where we checked in, was the governor's secretary to his actual secretary. Apparently he has a large workload...

We didn't wait long until the next door opened and we were invited into the governor's actual office. And what an office. Fancy. Really fancy. I want an office like the governor's office. And a secretary for my secretary too. 

The governor was a very pleasant man and our visit was worth the wait. Rabha and I explained that our coop is in dire need of a physical building (especially since the King gave us all these looms and equipment and we have no where to put them) and that no one in Toon Town (that's my new name for Tounfite, btw) like the invisible Caid (Mayor) has been of any help in assisting us with getting a building. 

The governor then asked me how much I pay in rent each month. I told him 500dHs and started panicking that he was going to suggest the looms take up shop in my house...He then said, "so find a building/house around that price and I will pay the rent on it until the Neddi (Women's Center) is refurbished and then you will be given a room in the Neddi".

Rabha almost fell out of her chair. 

We both graciously thanked him and made our way to the taxi stand.  

As soon as we were out of his office, Rabha excitedly told me that we would rent Laila Fadima's (coop secretary and Rabha's very good friend...cough, playing favorites cough) brothers' house...I asked where he lives if we were to rent his house and she told me that he lives there, but he is really only home at night. Um, yeah...so she was suggesting we pay him to live in his house. I don't think so. 

Without wanting to get involved in the politics of that suggestion (and knowing that the house is located far off the main road in Toon Town, I put the idea out there that the new coop building should really be located on the main road so that if by chance (big chance) a car full of tourists pass through Toon Town, they will actually see the building and even possibly enter it! 

Suggestion worked and Laila Fadima's brother's house was never mentioned again. L'Humdullah (Thanks be to God)

We spent the rest of the week viewing garages and houses on Toon Town's main road and are still in that process since we haven't found something suitable. 

Will let you know and post pictures once we find a place. 

Most of the places we have looked at have been double the 500dHs budget. The first place we looked at was a tiny garage which would just barely fit the three looms and doesn't have running water. It was offered to us at 900dHs, plus we would have to pay electricity on top of that. Entertainingly, Rabha got a phone call the day after viewing it...the man must have spoken to his wife and it was brought to light that our coop is known by the King. 

The phone call was to re-offer the garage at 600dHs a month. Why the 300dHs reduction? Because, the owners of the garage have written letters to the King in the past, knowing that he (the King) would be coming through Toon Town and unfortunately the King has never taken their letters. But, if our coop occupies their garage, well then obviously the next time the King comes through town, he will stop at the coop and since they own the building, they will be at the coop...with their letter in hand, ready to give to HRM, the King. We are still looking...

And in case you are lost in all this talk about letters to the King, here is a repost to clarify:


Whenever the King visits anywhere in Morocco, the people of Morocco photocopy their ID cards and write letters stating their wishes and give them to the King or his guards when he passes through. It is said, that if the King takes the letters from the people, then they are guaranteed to receive at least one of their wishes. 


Until next time, 


Miriam x