A local wisdom is a part of the history

by Muhammad Rizki Abdillah (Egypt)

Making a local connection Morocco

I started traveling in Morocco. Honestly I was very impressed with this trip. This is my first experience in traveling far away in a foreign country, without being accompanied by family or friends. However, I found friends, and new acquaintances during the trip. Honestly, I'm not too impressed when visiting cities built with magnificent buildings, or malls that are visited by many people. Because it's normal, and I made this trip to calm my mind. Sometimes there are many people who surround the city passionately, and I appreciate it all. On this trip, I want to find something that humans have long desired. However, when I first came to Morocco, I was hesitant to hitchhiking, but I ventured to do it when I first arrived at the airport. I walked out of Casablanca airport and started to stop the car, but several cars just passed by. I walked a few steps, and finally a saloon car came up to me, and offered me a ride. I also asked him to take me to the toll road to another city. He was named Ahmad. During the trip, we exchanged stories, there was something unique between us, I speak English, while he spoke French. Either he understands what I'm saying or not. Even though I didn't understand one hundred percent of what he was talking about, the body language he was moving was enough to explain what he meant. That's the language of the world. Then the next day, I'm still going hitchhiking, but this time I traveled about 300 km more. My mentals have started stronger than before. I planned to visit the local residents if I don't get my car. I started the journey rather early. I packed my tent, and my carrier bag, then walked to the area I wanted to visit next. I kept going, and the car just passed, there were just passing by, those who saw me then gave a signal as if he was rejecting me. But I was not hopeless, a few minutes I walked, there was a big truck carrying sand coming toward me, then he asked about my destination. So i answered it. He offered me a ride, and said that later at the intersection of the road, we will be separated. After arriving at the intersection, we separated. I continued my journey on foot, because the road was free and not many cars passed. An hour passed, and I was still walking, the water I brought would run out. I stopped for a moment, then there was an old mother who walked behind me, and she sat beside me. Shortly after, a saloon car came to offer me a ride, but unfortunately, that person only offered a ride between me or that mother, and I invited she to ride the car. Finally i continued the journey, because the weather was getting hotter. I walked between uninhabited deserts. Food and drink began to run out. But that did not hinder my steps to keep going. After a few hours, I found the gas station. I asked an officer for permission to go to the bathroom, then I took a short break at the gas station. Not long ago, the officer approached me, we got to know each other. His name is Abdul Ghoni. He was very friendly to me, and kind harted. He even made me authentic Moroccan tea, and also taught me some Moroccan culture. I just knew him, but as if I'd known him for years. Finally, after a full month I toured Morocco, and visited 22 cities, I realized that the thing that made me memorable on my trip to Morocco was not just the scenery, nor the historical places I visited. But more than that, I know more about the meaning of respecting, and returning to the hospitality of the world, and also sharing with humans. Things that seem to have started to become extinct among our society. That's the sparkling gold that we crave for. Jewelry that cannot be exchanged for anything, even with money or with other valuables. Because local wisdom is a part of history.