Mint Tea & Medina Streets: Our Marrakesh Story!

I wake up to my alarm at 6:30 AM, and it hits me, I’m in Morocco! It’s our very first day in Marrakesh, the vibrant Red City. It all feels like a wild dream, and I never thought I would have the privilege to travel here! I’m filled with excitement for what the day will bring. One of the first things I look forward to, as a foodie, is the breakfast waiting me downstairs. I hurry to get ready. The smell of fresh mint tea brewing and traditional Moroccan pancakes, msemmen and baghrir, fills the air.

During breakfast, I catch up with my peers, Oliver, Mia, Andrea, and Chelei, one of our Horizon instructors. We talk about the amazing breakfast food, the day ahead, and some of us joke about the chaos of the Marrakesh streets, hoping that we won't end up dodging a car or motorcycle; they don’t exactly wait for pedestrians! Thankfully, we’re hopping on a bus to start our city tour, so no need to test our reflexes just yet.

Our first stops include the Koutoubia Mosque, Djemaa El Fna, and one of my favorite places: Bahia Palace. Walking into the palace, we’re immediately taken aback by the intricate architecture and breathtaking design.

Some of the ancient architecture during the tour!

Our guide explains that over 100 artists worked on the palace by hand, placing each ceramic tile with care. All of this was done to build a lavish family home for the palace's owner and his many wives and concubines. Each room also has a special meaning, and the most extravagant one was for his favorite wife, al-Bahia, which means “the brilliant.”

As we explored the palace, we spotted many cats lounging around, which of course led to an impromptu photo shoot.

Cat!!!!

Next up, time for lunch! I had a shawarma with chicken and spicy sauce, and it was only 40 dirhams (about $10 USD). After lunch, we all headed to a business visit at the stunning Oberoi Hotel. From the moment we entered, we were all greeted by a scent I cannot describe, but it was just amazing. We are greeted with warm smiles and the traditional Moroccan gesture of placing a hand over the heart, which means a sincere thank you from the heart. We also walked through the hotel garden, which beautifully rustic and we even got to see some Donkeys!

Me, Sugar, and Brown Sugar the Donkeys!

We toured the hotel and met with the leaders of this amazing hotel, Rohan Ogale, the General Manager; Imane Driba Mekouar, the Director of Human Resources; and Mohamed Aziz Alaoui, the Director of Engineering. They each shared incredible insights about hospitality, sustainability, and the passion required to run a five-star hotel.

One message that stayed with me was the emphasis on passion and determination. Without these, it’s difficult to grow in any career. Their words and personal stories really inspired me and made me reflect on my own goals and what drives me. I think all of us walked out of that meeting with a new perspective and analyzing our passions and how they align with our career.

After our coffee break filled with Moroccan pastries, savory appetizers, and of course more mint tea. We then hopped back on the bus and ended the day in the Medina. The bustling marketplace was a mix of color, smells, sounds, and people. We bargained, watched to not get our feet run over, and soaked up the culture. One of my classmates, Tamera, scored three pieces of clothing for less than half the price, and Edith, and other classmate, got so many amazing deals because she practiced her Arabic and also was just so good at not looking too excited at jewlery, carpets, and clothing, which she taught me how to do.

Overall, this experience has opened our eyes not only to the richness of Moroccan culture but also to the value of connection, curiosity, and keeping an open mind. I’m so grateful for this day, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Signing off for now,

Joseline Cruz Medina