For me, traveling means getting to know people from other cultures and watching them a little while living. Two years ago I met a young man here in Marrakech, barely 30 years old, whom I initially thought was very poor.
Why? Because he lived in a shared apartment and slept in the most unattractive place - he didn't even have his own room. He spent the night in the common room on an old, thin mattress. Next to him his laptop, on which he worked day and night, as if there was nothing more important than his business. At least that was what he used to do - but not himself. Neither internally nor externally. He ran around in dirty pants, which he also wore to sleep and did not change all day. Taking the time for himself seemed to have no priority for him. He even forgot me, his guest, to invite you to a tea - something that is actually unthinkable in Morocco!
What makes a good life?
When he told me about his business two years ago, his eyes shone with passion. Yes, he really wanted to make it! He dreamed of playing with the big players of the world. That's why he worked so hard. I understood that. Sometimes you have to concentrate entirely on one goal and work for it day and night. That's okay. But now two years have passed and he is still in the same god.
He builds a travel agency that sells trips worldwide. He recently opened a restaurant in Marrakech - but that was just as empty, uncomfortable and lifeless as he was. I often wonder how to sell something that you are so far away from.
His friends have been trying to make it clear to him for a long time that he practically throws away his life and does not live at all. But he is not interested in life - just the success. But who does he actually want to prove that? Does he never go out? Marrakech has so much to offer - everything you could want. But that leaves him cold.
Girls, alcohol, dance, do something forbidden? Something that could tear him out of his everyday life? None of it inspires him. His friends once invited him to a Marrakech tour at night. He could hardly believe that people spend so much money on "forbidden pleasure". He is stingy, does not spend money on himself.
What do you live for if you don't use your money for joy and enjoyment? All of his friends ask him. What will you be able to tell later? At some point your life will be over and you never really lived it!
It reminds me a bit of my parents' world. After the war everyone wanted to build something. Be there with the many opportunities for new business opportunities. There was also a lot of private pleasure. Everything was about to build. My parents often worked 16 hours a day.
Wealth is more than just money
What does wealth actually mean? I know people who generously spend their money on experiences and activities. But the money doesn't seem to be the problem with him. A friend of him told me that he had a lot of money in the account.
I went out on the small atrium and sat on one of the two dirty plastic chairs. The legs of the chairs were tied up so that they did not fall apart. The dinner was cooked by another friend because he never cooked himself. From time to time he stuffed himself with junk food, or ate with him when someone was cooking - like that evening. In Morocco, everyone is always asked at the table! But to participate in the dishes did not occur to him.
Although it is usually far away from helping in foreign apartments, I couldn't hold back and wiped the small table before the fragrant tajine came up with it. But the dirt could hardly be removed. I briefly thought of buying a new table. But it quickly became clear to me: the money is not the problem. He could afford a new table. Or a bed. Or a cozy furnishings ...
But if someone does not feel abundance inside, you can't help him from the outside. One day he will wake up. Maybe just like that. But I rather think life will challenge him at some point and present the choice: live or bury himself alive?
I can already feel his later repentance. But talking is of no use. Everyone makes their own decisions and I have learned that you have to leave things as they are. I am glad that I have long since let go of the need to "convert" others.
#Marokko #marakesch
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