Since the day after I got here I've had a low-level cold that I thought developed because of the extreme temperature and air differences. This morning it became clear that I definitely caught something. It is so frustrating to spend five days in a new country and not feel good for any amount of time. Then again, if this is the sickest I get during my time here, I'll consider myself very lucky.

There are upsides to being sick in a foreign country, though. My host family is taking good care of me and I get to learn about Moroccan cold remedies. My host sister, Aisha, had me lay down on the couch while she rubbed rose water all over my face and head for about 30 minutes. She soaked cotton pads with the all natural, aromatic water and put them over my eyes like cucumbers. Rose water is a really light astringent, so it has a nice cooling effect. I felt so spoiled but I wasn't about to object because it was so relaxing. I said to her in my broken Darija:
!غادية تكوني أم مزيانة بزاف
She laughed, but it's true.

For my runny nose, they suggest drinking and snorting some olive oil. I'll be trying that tonight.