Casablanca- The most reasonable answer that comes to my mind when people ask me the question "Why Morocco?" is definitely "The best things in life happen unexpectedly."
I must admit, I was expecting people to ask me this question. It's so simple and at the same time too hard. As I mentioned, the best things come to us unexpectedly, but I know this is not the explanation you want to hear. The answer is not so obvious since there are many factors that contribute to my stay in this bewitching country. I once sat down and asked myself why. Well, I couldn't come up with the perfect answer. Let me point out the main reasons that made me come to Morocco and the ones that made me stay here.
How I made it to stay in Morocco and afford living here?
I first came to Agadir and Marrakesh in 2010 and I loved the country. A week wasn't enough to understand the citizens of this warm, welcoming country and fully indulge in its culture. I promised myself to come back. One day, for longer.
An opportunity came by itself so I seized it. I just got my BA degree in English Language Teacher Training and wanted to go abroad for a 3-month internship. I had everything ready for my trip to Algeria and to my horror (or luck ?) it didn't work out. A friend from AIESEC Casablanca said they were looking for an English teacher in a language school in Casablanca. I sent my CV and didn't expect much. 2 days later I was booking my flight to Casablanca. 2 months later I was in Morocco's economic capital.
I was supposed to come for 3 months only. As you see, my plans have changed. It's been over half a year! Ok, so now more or less you know how I came here.
Let me elaborate more on what I found so attractive about this country.
This is the perfect occasion to get out of your comfort zone. Morocco is a very challenging country. Moroccans may not notice that, but yeah it is. Big up to Moroccans! It is challenging in both; positive and negative way. I'm not going to dwell upon the reasons, give you details.
In short, it is an ambiguous, developing country which is still somewhere between the modern Europe and the traditional Africa. It's somehow like a teenager who still doesn't know where he belongs to. Every day in Morocco is a challenge for me; nasty men on the street, slower rhythm of life, the language barrier, different attitude to life, the food, the society which sticks their nose into others' life and many more.
The climate and the food
I was totally fed up with the -25'c in winter and lack of fresh fruits. Moroccan winter is not this harsh, the temperature decreases to +7'c in Casablanca and around 0'c in Ifran, which is very nice comparing to Poland. The fresh fruits and vegetables are available throughout the year.
Its diversity! Everyone says that England and France are multicultural countries. Yes they are, so is Morocco. There is a wrong stereotype that Moroccan are narrow-minded and everybody is the same. I swear that it is the opposite: Moroccan society is very diversified: Amazighs, Arabs, expats, Jewish, Muslims, mixed marriages and immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa, from narrow-minded people with no life to very educated and open people. I love the view of veiled women walking down the street with their unveiled friends. Living diversity and tolerance.
Last but not least, the people surrounding me. I've met really awesome people here (most of them are foreigners but I've got a couple of Moroccan friends too). I got used to them, me and my roommates are like a little, multicultural family.
That's mostly it. I explained the best I could. I hope you're satisfied with my answer.
I am curious to know the reasons of other foreigners living or planning to move here. Share your opinion with me.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Morocco World News’ editorial policy