The Spirit of the World ( On and Off)
Portugal/Morocco (11)
(Continuation of story which began with Portugal #1)
After Rabat, Marvin and I pressed on to Marrakesh. As we entered the city limits, it became instantly clear that this was a very big city and navigating for me was going to be difficult, as I did not know French or Arabic. Some how we managed, but I will give all the credit to Marvin. We found a fairly economical place to stay, as we wanted to explore the city in depth.
Then Marvin shared more news with me. While driving here, he sensed that the transmission needed to be looked at. So after checking into a hotel, we went to a gas station looking for a mechanic. Luck was with us again and we found a skilled young man who was also very hospitable. He said that if we went with him to his home that he would fix the Volkswagen.
We followed him to his modest home where he lived with his mother. He insisted that I wait inside the house for the car to be fixed. I was concerned, as I didn’t want to inconvenience anyone. Again, I thought that to decline the invitation would be rude.
His mother welcomed me inside the house where she was watching television. She was watching vintage American cartoons duped in French. We ended up laughing and laughing, even though we could not actually say anything meaningful to each other.
When the job of fixing the transmission became more complicated, she asked her son to fetch some bread from the market. She shared the bread and some wonderful tea with me. Some how we found a way to communicate to the extent that she even decided to produce some of her medical bills and then tried to discuss her concerns with me. As a life long social worker, I am convinced that I have a SW written on my forehead because this has happened more than once in my travels.
I commiserated with her and we carried on about the unfair nature of societies and government. ( I think) Needless to say, I have always remembered these moments of waiting with great respect for the Arab and Muslim people of the world.
The picture is of one of several palaces found in Marrakesh. I am so disappointed that I didn’t take more photos. In my memories, however, I can picture the beauty of the city that Winston Churchill was so found of painting.
Portugal/Morocco (11)
(Continuation of story which began with Portugal #1)
After Rabat, Marvin and I pressed on to Marrakesh. As we entered the city limits, it became instantly clear that this was a very big city and navigating for me was going to be difficult, as I did not know French or Arabic. Some how we managed, but I will give all the credit to Marvin. We found a fairly economical place to stay, as we wanted to explore the city in depth.
Then Marvin shared more news with me. While driving here, he sensed that the transmission needed to be looked at. So after checking into a hotel, we went to a gas station looking for a mechanic. Luck was with us again and we found a skilled young man who was also very hospitable. He said that if we went with him to his home that he would fix the Volkswagen.
We followed him to his modest home where he lived with his mother. He insisted that I wait inside the house for the car to be fixed. I was concerned, as I didn’t want to inconvenience anyone. Again, I thought that to decline the invitation would be rude.
His mother welcomed me inside the house where she was watching television. She was watching vintage American cartoons duped in French. We ended up laughing and laughing, even though we could not actually say anything meaningful to each other.
When the job of fixing the transmission became more complicated, she asked her son to fetch some bread from the market. She shared the bread and some wonderful tea with me. Some how we found a way to communicate to the extent that she even decided to produce some of her medical bills and then tried to discuss her concerns with me. As a life long social worker, I am convinced that I have a SW written on my forehead because this has happened more than once in my travels.
I commiserated with her and we carried on about the unfair nature of societies and government. ( I think) Needless to say, I have always remembered these moments of waiting with great respect for the Arab and Muslim people of the world.
The picture is of one of several palaces found in Marrakesh. I am so disappointed that I didn’t take more photos. In my memories, however, I can picture the beauty of the city that Winston Churchill was so found of painting.