The Marrakech lady's retreat was announced in October. The visit would consist of taking part in the Dalail-Ul-Khairat Mehfil, Ziara and visits to Souks and Bazaars.
I was in two minds to go or not. I had to do some DIY projects. So with inner dialogue and coming to the seemingly sensible decision to pass this trip. I had convinced myself this was a wise decision. Satisfied with this decision I carried on with my day.
A few hours later the WhatsApp group for the trip is put on. The message reads “Welcome to the WhatsApp group for our Ladies Trip to Marrakech”. My thoughts took such a quick U-turn I was dizzy with the speed. I now convinced myself that I was included in the group so this means I have to go.
Marrakech was calling me and I couldn’t let it down. I could do the DIY projects later. I’ll come back rejuvenated and I’m sticking to this defence. So now smiling and finding a new, spring in my heels feeling, I started thinking about what outfits I could wear for the trip. Bear in mind I haven't even paid for the trip yet! I decided I had to sew some new dresses as I had to present myself well to Marrakech. Marrakech doesn’t care what I wear but I convince myself it does. So I pay for the trip, sew some dresses, and run around the Bazaar finding matching hijaabs. Get everything I need and I am good to go.
Here I come Marrakech! The minibus will take us to Manchester Airport. We have to get to the minibus by 2.00 am. Around 11.00 pm it starts to snow! I think nothing is going to stop me from getting on that minibus. I will crawl with a backpack onto the minibus if I have to. We arrive at the airport on time and go through security checks easily.
On the flight, we ladies slept for an hour but were excitedly chatting for the rest of the journey. We giggled, chatted and giggled. We land, and the sun is out. We get on the bus that takes us to the hotel. We check in. Lovely hotel, central to everything and has a cafeteria, we are in heaven. Breakfasts were divine, the buffet had such a vast choice. We sat and chatted and ate and chatted and ate. I tried to shake my belly to settle the food so that I could get some more but that didn’t work, so I decided to eat more later. My walk changes when on holiday to sway, and my mood uplifts. Laughter is constant. There's a twinkle in my eyes, my thoughts are saying YIPPEE!
The rest of the few days were wonderful. Going to the Dalail-Ul-Khairat Mehfil was a wonderful experience, spiritual and peaceful. The saints and their struggles in life made me think about how tests are with us throughout our lives. The closer we want to get to Allah (swt) the more difficult the test. The souks were amazing the phrase “shop till you drop” comes to mind. I became more confident in my haggling skills I called the shopkeepers “Akhi” (brother) and La (no) when I wasn’t happy with their prices. I was trying to get the best deals. The group shopping experience is so exhilarating making me feel all giddy when I get a bargain. The sharing of thoughts of items, helping each other with haggling tactics. Whilst laughing amused the shopkeepers as they were making a lot of profit with having a group of women shopping.
Then being careful with buying the items to be able to fit in our luggage was an interesting challenge. I bought a Moroccan lantern, then thought where on earth will I fit that? The passion for shopping had taken over common sense! I voiced my thoughts out loud again this resulted in us laughing together consoling ourselves that we would shove it in the bag somehow somehow. With this 1-minute shopping therapy session over, I continued to shop. Loaded with bags we returned to the hotel, on a high. Showing each other our bargains and getting information on which shop we had missed. I was on a mission so I would return to the shops I had missed today. It was fresh juice galore, stalls of fresh juices at every corner and the prices made me smile.
The crossings however were a challenge, trying to cross on a so-called zebra crossing was a nightmare. A piece of advice read the Kalima whilst crossing because only Allah (swt) knows if you will make it to the other side alive. Traffic comes from both directions, and the drivers seem to have the right of way. After nearly getting run over a few times one of the ladies advised us you wait for a gap in the traffic they start walking across, and then the drivers would stop eventually. It was Tagine aplenty, the delicious Moroccan dish we all tried. The weather was great, it did rain one day, we were in the Bazaar, we continued to shop and didn’t mind it, we were in Marrakech so what if it rained. I could have easily stayed a few days longer. I have made some lovely friends, been in the sun which is always amazing, had some delicious food and reflected on life in a warm environment.
Upon some deep reflection my philosophical question is:
When is the next trip?
Ghazala Saleem
