World Cup Ratatouille

Morocco's World Cup run was an unforgettable experience, and Saturday, December 10, 2022, added a whole new level of excitement. After Morocco's victory against Spain, the anticipation was high as they prepared to face Portugal and their star player, Ronaldo. Just before kick-off, I was getting ready for a friendly get-together with a female - Ratatouille the ‘Crazy Camel’. I was picked up from my hotel at 16:30, and within ten minutes, I found myself dressed in traditional Moroccan clothing, posing for pictures with the camels, and sharing smiles. My camel navigator was a hilarious man. Every few minutes, he would shout "Ratatouille! Crazy Camel" and stroke her face.

We embarked on a camel ride around the Palmerie, surrounded by palm trees and a sandy atmosphere. As Spanish tourists passed us by, my camel navigator would laugh and engage in friendly banter. When he encountered a blue-eyed blonde woman and a brunette, he asked them where they were from. Proudly, they responded, "Espanyol," while regaining their balance on their camels. Upon hearing this, he would laugh, mention the score line of the recent match of Morocco beating Spain a few days prior, and continue leading me and Ratatouille on our adventure.

Picture this: riding a majestic camel at sunset, with the Morocco/Portugal game playing live on my camel navigator's phone. It was a moment that will forever be etched in my memory. As the game unfolded, En-Nesyri's goal right before halftime sent waves of excitement through the country. We may have been in the middle of a deserted area but I could still hear cheering in the distance. Morocco had complete control, exuding confidence and determination to not only win this game but become the world's favourite to win the entire tournament. It felt like a "right timing" moment to be in Morocco at the same time as their historic World Cup run. Amidst the breathtaking desert plateaus, I captured priceless pictures and videos of my furry companion. To my surprise, my camel navigator skilfully crafted a camel-shaped origami out of a palm leaf as a token of our time together. It was a beautiful gesture, accompanied by heartfelt stories of growing up in the mountains that loomed in the distance. Interestingly, the tour guides often shared how they sought refuge in those mountains during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, finding safety and solace away from the outbreak.

Upon our return, I discovered that I was the sole participant who had booked the camel ride. As I waited for my driver, I found myself joining the other camel navigators, huddled together on logs, watching the second half of the game on one single phone directly in the centre of us all. It was a heart-warming experience to support the nation alongside them, sharing in the collective joy and excitement. In that moment, surrounded by the beauty of the desert and the camaraderie of newfound friends, I realized that it's these unique and unexpected encounters that make travel truly unforgettable. The moment was tense, but everyone knew Morocco had the upper hand. Their first question was always, "Are you Muslim?" When I mentioned my Afghan heritage but not being Muslim, their confusion was hilarious yet intriguing. More questions would have followed, but football took centre stage for all of us.

As my driver arrived, I waved goodbye to my new friends and hopped into the van. I urgently told him, "Morocco is winning. Drive me to my hotel quickly please." Most hotels had special rooms showing the World Cup games live. With less than ten minutes left, I bid farewell to the Belgian couple behind me and sprinted to the room with the game. Out of breath, I walked in, and everyone's eyes turned to me, realising I had rushed to witness the final whistle. The room was packed with over sixty people: Moroccans, British, Portuguese and French tourists. The atmosphere was heavy and silent yet filled with anticipation. Nervous fidgeting and avoiding eye contact revealed how much this meant to everyone, regardless of their nationality. It was crucial for Morocco to win, not just for themselves but also for the tourists from other nations, knowing the delightful uproar it would create. And then, the referee blew the whistle. The room erupted with screams, shouts, cheers, and even tears. The electric atmosphere in that small space was indescribable. Moroccans were filled with pride, and the celebration was contagious. It was a moment that united people from different backgrounds, all sharing in the joy of Morocco's victory. Many of us in that room, in the country and around the world were ‘neutral’ fans, but deep down we were as ecstatic for the nation and its people. Many tourists were already in Marrakesh at the time, and many followed as the national team headed into the further stages of the competition.

As I headed back to my room whilst messaging friend back in London about the game, after around twenty minutes, I was here a lively group of Moroccan men singing and dancing proudly with their Moroccan flag in hand. The cheers from the centre square of Marrakech could still be heard, even from my location, which was a twenty-minute walk away. It was a truly unforgettable moment, with Moroccans across the capital joyfully screaming from their bedroom windows, making their voices heard.