Moroccan K1 approval?

[shhamada 5]

Yes, he did mention the not being together legally thing. We're going to be staying in Asilah, which from what I can find out, and what he's told me, is a tourist town and not quite as rigid. He's rented a private house for the two weeks I'll be there.

A whole summer!! Wow..that must have been amazing, there's no way I can do more than two weeks at a time.

I'm truly looking forward to experiencing the cultural variences. It should add a little flavor to an Idaho girls life

As far as working, I've tried to explain what a rat race it can be here..I think because we live it every day, we don't see it for what it is

As I said though he wants to pursue a social work degree, I'm a nurse, so him going to school as far as money goes isn't an issue. He also brought up working as a translator for the local hospitals.

I understand about waiting..but I think to better ensure entry into the US, that's great advice. Neither of us are young, he'll be 40 in a couple of months, I'm 52.

So we're a lot less flighty than younger people..

Again thanks for all the great advice.

I just really want to get this right.

[Golden Gate 530]

Oh, that's right he wants to be a social worker. Yes I think medical translating is a good idea. There used to be a warning on the consulate site about this - giving relationships at least a year. Also, he is lucky that you are a nurse, so he can afford to go to school. That makes things a lot easier.

Yes, it was great, but very hot (130 degrees a few days) and their ice cream wasn't cold, which seems not possible but true. We rented a flat, which was hard to get it without marriage papers, especially on the east side of the country but we rented from a woman who used to live in Germany. You will love the food there!! Will be nice if you go in summer and experience hearing weddings go on in the neighborhood. Music all night. Also, you can go visit Tangier! I wanted to go there.

Have a great time!

[shhamada 5]

I think Tangier is fairly close to Asilah?

I'm terrible with heat! It can get to 110 in the summer here. But 130?? Holy #######!!

I love to cook, and eat, so am very much looking forward to that.

I guess his parents are an area of concern simply because of the interview process. I'm hoping to maybe meet them next trip over. They're divorced, so that may prove difficult as well.

Idaho will be a major culture shock..not to mention weather shock. It'll be entertaining to see him try to manage his first winter here

But I gotta get him here first.

I have one more really stupid question. I had mentioned he's An atheist, and like every ex muslim I've ever met, despises islam. He wants to try bacon. .can i bring in some cooked bacon? ? I told you it was a stupid question..

Again, thanks for everything

[Golden Gate 530]

I think Tangier is fairly close to Asilah?

I'm terrible with heat! It can get to 110 in the summer here. But 130?? Holy #######!!

I love to cook, and eat, so am very much looking forward to that.

I guess his parents are an area of concern simply because of the interview process. I'm hoping to maybe meet them next trip over. They're divorced, so that may prove difficult as well.

Idaho will be a major culture shock..not to mention weather shock. It'll be entertaining to see him try to manage his first winter here

But I gotta get him here first.

I have one more really stupid question. I had mentioned he's An atheist, and like every ex muslim I've ever met, despises islam. He wants to try bacon. .can i bring in some cooked bacon? ? I told you it was a stupid question..

Again, thanks for everything

Looks like Tangier is close by. Definitely worth the trip, I think.

Don't know if Idaho is colder or warmer than Michigan! Anyway, strangely, my husband likes it here, more than I do, but this past winter was really trying. Fortunately, the summer makes up for it Although, frankly I want to move to a warmer, more dry climate.

Like I said, don't fret about his parents. You can't change them and shouldn't feel like it will determine whether you get the visa and always be honest with the consulate about this - they will appreciate sincerity more than anything and that you aren't trying to hide something. I think it is actually more logical that parents don't approve considering the cultural differences than that they would approve. I was really upset we couldn't meet, but now I kind of understand their viewpoint, so I have put it to rest. You are both old enough to have developed your own opinions and lives. Not like people just becoming adults who would be more influenced by parents' wishes.

So he wants bacon! What a rebel. Not sure if you can bring bacon into the country. I suppose you can try and if you have to throw it out, well it won't be a big loss anyway. Look here: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293730-i9195-k5009710-Taking_food_to_Morocco-Morocco.html

I don't eat bacon myself, so don't take this as me advocating for bacon

[shhamada 5]

I think Michigan has it over Idaho for cold, I happen to be a cold weather person myself though so don't mind it.

Yeah, ex muslims tend to be defiant, and seem to have this need to do anything the quran forbids. I'm a lifelong atheist, so just kind of shake my head at the rebellion.

We actually met in an atheist group on fb..

It's difficult for him, not even his family knows. Work is stressful as he has to teach pure arabic and interpret the quran..or something like that.

He's a gentle, quiet natured man, this causes him quite a bit a stress in his everyday life.

Anyway, this is way off topic !

I was a little concerned about the bacon thing..I'm not trying to go to jail

[christeen 966]

Don't bring meats of any kind... Period. Let that be something he can look forward to trying...

[Golden Gate 530]

I think Michigan has it over Idaho for cold, I happen to be a cold weather person myself though so don't mind it.

Yeah, ex muslims tend to be defiant, and seem to have this need to do anything the quran forbids. I'm a lifelong atheist, so just kind of shake my head at the rebellion.

We actually met in an atheist group on fb..

It's difficult for him, not even his family knows. Work is stressful as he has to teach pure arabic and interpret the quran..or something like that.

He's a gentle, quiet natured man, this causes him quite a bit a stress in his everyday life.

Anyway, this is way off topic !

I was a little concerned about the bacon thing..I'm not trying to go to jail

Well, there are shops there that sell alcohol and they even have wineries in Morocco, so although Muslims are forbidden from these, tourists are not.

Yes, they memorize passages of the Quran in school. Memorizing is a big thing in the education system there. I heard some recordings my husband made leading the students. He has a rather good voice! I actually converted once I returned from there. Something about the call to prayer did it for me and gave me peace. But I am sure the way I think of it is different than the way someone who grows up with it. Even for my husband, how he thinks of it is different than what is commonly practiced there. He is from the city of more than 1000 mosques, so you hear it from all directions. Since I was raised Catholic, my rebellion was against Catholicism. I don't like anybody coercing or preaching to me anything, and I was a very rebellious child, but it has given me more discipline than I ever had on my own.

It is hard to live against your conscience, that's for sure. Even when my husband was in the town where he taught, he never saw the women, because they are kept inside and hidden. He could only talk to me secretly, as it would be scandalous for that town to realize he was talking to a woman and they would all know it in seconds. Plus, they have someone in each town who is called the village eye - who works for the government and keeps track of what the people do there. There is a lot of shame in that culture and I imagine people are very self-conscious to an extreme, because of this. Therefore hard to be a rebel.

[Crossed_fingers 128]

I've known him for about six months now. I'm flying over there on May 6th to spend two weeks.

I don't really know what the deal is with his parents.

This is my first visit to Morocco, so I can't apply for the K1 until I get back

Again, thanks to every body. I can't really see any reason for a denial. .

Please, please, please consider waiting a year and visiting a few more times before you file. I wish you the best, I haven't seen less common religious beliefs be an issue and it's helpful that your SO is older and employed. With that said, I cringe when I read a 13 yr older and post-child-bearing aged woman who has chatted with a Moroccan man for 6 months, never been there, contemplating filing a petition before meeting in person and planning on doing it after 1 quick in-person meet-up, who may not be able to get the loads of happy family photos the Casablanca consulate loves to see, say, "I can't really see any reason for a denial." I'm definitely not saying an approval is impossible but surely you can see a few potential sticky spots, no??

[Maroclvr 0]

Sure Morocco is a Muslim country but its not so rigid that you can't buy Bacon. Many of the large supermarkets carry it (Marjan comes to mind) along with Alcohol. There are no shortage of bars either.
If he wants bacon buy it there. It does not need to be imported.

[Possiblymaybe 371]

Please, please, please consider waiting a year and visiting a few more times before you file. I wish you the best, I haven't seen less common religious beliefs be an issue and it's helpful that your SO is older and employed. With that said, I cringe when I read a 13 yr older and post-child-bearing aged woman who has chatted with a Moroccan man for 6 months, never been there, contemplating filing a petition before meeting in person and planning on doing it after 1 quick in-person meet-up, who may not be able to get the loads of happy family photos the Casablanca consulate loves to see, say, "I can't really see any reason for a denial." I'm definitely not saying an approval is impossible but surely you can see a few potential sticky spots, no??

I totally agree with you! I get suspicious every time I hear of people planning to marry before they even know how bad their partner's farts stink.

[shhamada 5]

Hey..that's cool, I appreciate the criticism. This is a learning process for me, which is the reason I'm asking questions. I'm not naive, and this isn't my first rodeo.

I'm interested in the process. Not personal counceling.

Thanks again.

[Possiblymaybe 371]

Then in terms of the process, I think it's a huge red flag that marriage is being discussed within 6 months and before a face to face meeting.

Edited April 29, 2014 by jenafid

[Shoot Em Straight 385]

I totally agree with you! I get suspicious every time I hear of people planning to marry before they even know how bad their partner's farts stink.

wait till the bacon is added in.

[shhamada 5]

Lmao..hey, add a couple of beers to the bacon, he'll smell the same as any red blooded american!!

[Crossed_fingers 128]

No personal counseling here, my comments were all about the process. The Casa consulate used to expressly state on its website that one red flag (among others, such as an older American female/younger Moroccan male, early declarations of love, meeting online, etc.) was a quick courtship, defined as filing in under 1 year of knowing each other. I've seen other couples who didn't have the red flags you'll battle get denied after filing in under 1 year. Again, none of this is to say an approval or a denial is a sure thing. The process isn't exactly transparent. But I think filing after 6 months of chatting + a 2-week visit is a huge risk, however strong the case may otherwise be.