SAT, 21 MAY 2022 – Day 15: Marrakech - Your adventure tour ends after breakfast. (Breakfast included).
Our tour group was quite diverse and included many experienced travelers who lived in the U.S. (5), Canada (3), England (2), and Germany (1). One person had fallen ill and had to miss the trip. My roommate was born in Bangladesh but was moved to London by his parents at age 6 months. He has an interesting philosophy and believes much knowledge about lifes lessons can be learned from travel. He is the most experienced traveler in the group, by far, and has been to North Korea and Iran. Several others have been to Southeast Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean and have piqued my interest in each of those locales.
Our tour group was quite diverse and included many experienced travelers who lived in the U.S. (5), Canada (3), England (2), and Germany (1). One person had fallen ill and had to miss the trip.
The group unanimously wanted to participate optional guided city tour on Thursday after our return to Marrakech so all of Friday would be open for a la carte activities – shopping for most. I
opted to rest my feet and deal with some emails I had received regarding my tours. Friday evening, we chose to dine together for our final supper in Morocco. The waiter took our picture:
Victor – He was seven years old when I visited his homeland courtesy the U.S. Marine corps and fled at age 25. He is now a priest and resides in Michigan.
Oulaid Mouzouni – He had to go to college to a tour guide focusing mostly on the geography and history of Morocco. In his seven years with Nomadic Tours, he to enjoy the backpacking tours most. A newlywed of years, his wife is currently a college student.
Mustafa – I cannot imagine any other driver I have ridden with who was more cautious and courteous than Mustafa. Although he spoke very little English, Mustafa was learning and was a lot of fun, especially during the dance party at the Berber camp. Both Oulaid and Mustafa are Berber.
Nita – A first generation Chinese American, who has lived in several cities, currently resides in Houston. She spent many
years in Washington State working for the aerospace industry. It was her friend who fell ill at the last minute.
Maria – Emigrated to the U.S. from Mexico when she was in college and has travelled extensively, including three tours in Arica. She lives in Chicago.
Stephanie – She was a quiet, cards close to the vest kind of gal who lives near Munich, Germany and usually attends Octoberfest. She told me that the beer definitely is not served warm in Germany, unlike information I had received years ago from somebody who probably had never left their county of birth.
Dion – A probation/parole officer (in Canada they are on and the same) from Toronto. She grew up in Quebec and studied French throughout her schooling. That skill saved the groups collective asses at a couple of restaurants.
Rose (sorta hidden by Victor) and her husband, Rick (with back to the camera) – They live near Toronto and have been married the entire adult lives. Rick still works as a diesel mechanic and Rose??? Another quiet one!
had moved from the Chicago to southeast Kentucky over 20 years ago. She has travelled quite a bit with her favorites being New York City for the theater and Istanbul for the culture and architecture. She was the class clown (affectionately so) who announced on day one her (very large) purse was full of everything from sardines and tuna fish to cookies should anyone get hungry (or the group get stranded).
Sarki (between Rose and Rick) – My roommate was born in Bangladesh but was moved to London by his parents at age 6 months. As a roommate, I got to know more about him both biographically and philosophically. He manages the finance department for and chooses an austere lifestyle by renting a room from empty nesters. He is the most experienced traveler in the group, by far, and has been to North Korea and Iran. Many of his as long weekends vs. extended trips.
