Ali Baba and a Moroccan Wedding

Just over a year ago our friends Stefano and Sophia announced their engagement. Stefano hails from Milan while Sophia is Moroccan. Over dinner at their flat in London they mentioned they were thinking of have a service in Italy and a reception in Marrakech. We like a bit of travel and adventure and there was no two ways about it – not only did we want to join our friends for their special day, but a reception in Marrakech – what’s not to love!! Add to that a lot of good friends were going too!

When the formal invites came, we knew we’d be underway on Adina but we made our promises we’d make it. And when we say we’ll do something, we do it! It would be a lie to say it was an easy case of book flights, Go. We had to find an airport we could fly from, then a marina with space for a week to keep Adina, and on an expensive piece of coast with mooring space hard to find, and then work out getting to the airport. Never mind the stress of the weather being kind to allow us to get there on time!

With delays in Gibraltar we had to pop in an overnight sail to catch up. But lo and behold we got to our selected marina in Guardamar on time. Up at 6am, a taxi ride, a bus to Alicante, a train to Valencia, and a flight to Marrakech, and by 7pm we were donning formal attire for the first time in two months.

We joined good friends Simone, Eldon, Kate and Isla for the interesting drive to the venue outside Marrakech. Interesting in that it involved two taxis trying to find the remote venue, galloping through semi desert. But find it we did and met up with more good friends, Shelley, Duncan, Maggie and Umbi.

The venue was a large villa with tables amongst palm trees, swimming pool beautifully decorated with floating candles, no expense spared. It’s not often you see several tv cameras at a wedding, including one on a hoist, and screens for guests to see all the action.

Sophia’s entrance

The usual aperitifs and canapes were served while we all waited for Sophia to make her entrance. Stefano at this stage was looking well in control and greeting guests. I fail to recall exact timings but it was around 10pm that Sophia made a grand entrance hoisted up high on a Moroccan carriage carried by six men. Dressed in a beautiful, hand stitched Moroccan outfit she really looked stunning.

Cameras kicked off, bright lights flashed, cameramen competing with guests, it was a rugby scrum that any paparazzi would have been proud of. We could only feel for Stefano. He had the look of a man thinking “I’m just going to smile through it all, but secretly I’m hoping it will not be like this all night or else I’m in serious trouble.” He was doing well! Sophia was moved around up high, cameras still flashing, live Moroccan music in full flow. An English wedding would struggle to match such an entrance!

Stefano gets to join in the action

Time came for the guests to sit down to dinner. The night wore on as we chatted to friends, listened to the music,watched the moroccan dancing and admired Sophia as she went through four changes of dress, each special. Then both husband and wife were hoisted up on separate flat carriages, and paraded around. Stefano had been dressed in a simple Moroccan outfit. And by now he was in full swing, embracing the occasion with Italian relish. He waved to all, throughly enjoying the ride – I swear it was crossing his mind this is the way to be a carried to work through the streets of London.

We were warned the wedding would go on very late and each of us were a little unsure if we could make it. But the champagne flowed and by now a disco was in full flow. Umbi, who can dance the socks off anyone and I personally want to nominate for Britians got Talent (only he lives in Italy), had us all up on the dance floor. Come 4am, it was time for camels home.

The next day was spent with Kate, Eldon, Isla and Simmo, slowly exploring the souks, taking our time, eating and relaxing, seeing our hangovers through. These are good friends who we only get to meet up with a few times a year but every time it’s quality time, time we treasure.

Ali Baba in Marrakech

Walking the souks, every now and then we’d hear the call of “Ali Baba”. Not noticing it at first, it slowly dawned on Tom that perhaps it was him they were calling. With his beard now in a healthy state and indeed even trimmed for the wedding, it was his combination of beard and leather shoes we realised were attracting the calls. That’s it, he was being called Ali Baba for the rest of the stay.

The day ended with a feast of tagines. Sad to say goodbye to our friends as they headed off. But on the upside we’re hoping they will all join us on Adina and be part of our adventure. Fingers crossed Kate and Eldon will come out to the Canaries with their little one Isabella, and Isla and Simo will join us in the Caribbean, while Shelly and Duncan are visiting in Mallorca. Plan to thoroughly spoil them all!

Ben Youssef

We still had another day to explore so we went sight-seeing and shopping. Marrakech is a great city to wander about and get lost. And haggle. Amazing how prices drop on haggling! Tom is accustomed to playing bad guy but for once Susie was in full flow. “160 dirhams Madame”. “30 dirhams” came back Susie’s retort. They wanted 16 euros, Susie was offering 3 euros! Shocked, stunned, they dropped the price slowly to 120 dirhams. “40 dirhams” came back the rock-fast reply. Down they dropped bit by bit to 80 dirhams. Stale mate. Off we walked. A whisper of “Ok, 50”. Done. A stunning performance leaving the market men muttering. I was proud of my girl – better than I could have done!

Souks

Come sunset we sat on a terrace watching the huge central square, Jamaa El Fna, spring into life for the evening. It was a case of man trying his best to relieve man of his money. Everything went. From snake charmers placing snakes around people’s necks to a man waving a pigeon around on a broom, to another man banging cymbals and demanding money. It was prime time viewing. A quiet dinner on the rooftop of our rhiad wrapped up a most enjoyable visit to Marrakech.

Jemaa El Fna Square at sunset

Stefano, Sophia, thank you for a wonderful wedding. We wish you many many years of happiness. To all our friends we caught up with, it was great to see you – we miss you!

Morocco – Ali Baba and his haggling Madame will be back with their bateaux soon.