One of the great things about Morocco is how quick people are to embrace you. Being so far away from family and friends can be intimidating but the locals make you feel as if you are home.
The most recent encounter of this hospitality came from a family that raises and maintains horses in Meknes. They also happen to be champions horse riders. The father, two of his daughters and one of his sons have all been recognized for their exploits in horseback riding.
Youngest daughter Meryam shows off her champion horseback riding skills
Seeing Meryam run up onto a horse and perform a dazzling set of tricks which would make most people queasy was a sight to be seen. The father Rachid, but who we all have taken to call Baba (Arabic for father), gave us all lessons on riding horses.
Baba, with family dog Rosa in tow, take one of the horses back to the stables
However, the hospitality did not end there. We were welcomes with open arms to share tea with the family and have discussions which ranged from tattoos to Meryam’s love of Real Madrid midfielder Kaka. It felt like being a part of the family.
It can be easy to become isolated when you do not speak the native language but somethings are universal. Some of the family spoke English while some of us spoke French and Arabic, Baba had a right laugh at me trying to count to ten in Arabic, but communication occurs naturally.
Rachid's granddaughter enjoyed having a few new faces to play with.
Rachid’s granddaughter did not need to know any English to play patty-cake, it is one of those things all kids learn. Sharing laughs, including Baba mimicking my sheer terror of being on the horse, is a universal feeling which can not help but make one feel welcomed.
It may not have been home but Rachid and his family made us feel as if we were home.
