by Leah Katung-Babatunde
My Marrakech story is two years belated but then, its better late than ever because COVID pushed the annual meetings further by two years. It’s been fifty years since Africa hosted the meetings and this is the second (I hope it returns soon in the spirit of fairplay).
I was to arrive Morocco around noon but missed my connecting flight in Paris, eventually I got rescheduled on the next flight to Marrakech. The airport procedure was sort of not smooth like we had in Bali where our badges made our interaction with immigration faster than for other travelers.
Mustapha picked us from the airport, he was a jolly good fellow, sent by the owner of the apartment we rented to pick us up. No sooner than we settled that the chatter began. He told us a lot in a short span about Marrakech, why all the buildings have same colour and the three other cities and their colour code. Mustapha happily said he could show us around and we have to try the ‘gulugulu’ because it makes everyone happy.
Thirty minutes later we were in our third-floor apartment and Adil was waiting up to collect what he called ‘city tax’ from us, it was a total of sixty euros.
Mabrouka is a decent part of town with lots of happy families and so we went out in search of what to eat after a quick shower; we settled for the roasts, at least, they look like suya, so chicken, beef, kidney and liver (that will be my meal for the next six days).
The meetings started Monday and ohhhh Bab Ighli was beautiful; I felt super proud being an African, seeing Africans put on a spectacle that was awesome.
Got my name calligraphed in Arabic and eventually returned to have it done for my husband and son.
The display of local instruments and adornments was great and I got to play around and familiarise myself with the campus as an early bird.
In between activities and meetings, there was always time to create memories, I mean Nigeria made me proud, seeing folks chronicle their achievements was elating.
Day 4, we met MOMO, the funniest cabby I have come across in my entire life. He just loved to gist and have fun even when you are in a great hurry. Our friendship didn’t last because time was of the essence but not until he insisted and took us to the market and I saw gulugulu for the first time.
The aphrodisiac that elates everyone by mere mention and as they say “gulugulu makes home happy; when you take it, lock the door with your wife and throw the keys away”.
The advertisement by all was topnotch.
To change our greenbacks to dirhams, just like Mustapha, everyone believes Hotel Ali has the best rates and I mean, there’s a perpetual queue of foreigners there.
Finally made it to the city centre Friday for a ride on the cart, I mean, who comes to Marrakech and does not go on the horse and carriage?
Ahmed our guide was another jolly good fellow, showed us his six fingers on both hands with pride as we got carted around not minding the harsh afternoon sun.
He seemed well known through the entire route and even showed us the famous Saadian tombs, the historic mosques and palace of the king of Morocco. You want to buy souvenirs or gifts? Ahmed is your guy because he can convince you to buy even what you did not plan for, a very good marketer I must say.
We also got to see some places hit by the earthquake.
Morocco is home to some of the finest body oils.
Sami took me to the airport for my journey home on my sixth day and like Mustapha, he was punctual. Lest I forget, the meetings Wi-Fi was also available at the airport.
Will I return to Marrakech? Definitely …………
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