Dazed, confused and very hungry at the arrivals hall following an overnight flight. You probably have experienced this as well, however this time it felt very different.
Our local guide, Ahmed, barely had the time to learn our names (he was focused on recognizing our luggage). Following him outside, the 40 degree (104 Fahrenheit) heat completely sapped remaining stores of energy as the seven of us climbed into the van. No one spoke. A voice from the driver seat, “Water?” Half liter bottles of ice cold water blazoned with red and blue Arabic script whizz by hand to hand for each passenger. After a minute we are hydrated and talking. “Where are we going?” “Lunch at a special place,” was from our perspective, the right answer, from Souad, our tour operator seated next to Ahmed.
We cruised through the streets of Casablanca a bit too fast for my comfort. Block after block of white apartment buildings punctuated by thousands of satellite dishes and outside mounted air conditioner units. A riot of colorful clothing hanging on clothes lines linked each apartment house as we whizzed by in our van, and I began awaking to my surroundings, feeling fully energized just as the van zoomed parallel to a curb and stopped.
We all looked at each other. The restaurant outside in front of us looked challenging and sketchy. I gave myself an inner voice coaching session: Step Outside of Your Comfort Zone!
Ahmed stopped me from entering the restaurant. “Go here,” he said, pointing to the building next door. He took the lead and we all followed him up a series of stairs. Knocking on the third floor door, a smiling women answers and Ahmed ushers us inside with the wave of his hand.
We are at home. Ahmed and his wife Fatima welcome us into their living room, seated on sofas, we connect names with our places in America. We take their offer of fruit juices accompanied by cool, rose water scented wash clothes. Their house cat takes a fast liking to me, resting on my lap.
Platters of food are followed by platters of food that are followed by sweet mint tea and fabulous fresh fruit – I have never tasted a banana like this! A typical two hour late afternoon lunch delivers of conversation with new American and Moroccan friends centers us.
