Under the Moroccan Sun (as also seen on www.herrochester.com
By Pam Sherman | January 31, 2010
Now that I’m settled back into snowy Rochester and over the jet lag I’m ready to write about my trip to Morocco. Every time I open my cabinets filled with spices from the spice souk I’m transported back. I traveled to Morocco to teach my Backstage Secrets for Presenting course to CEO’s and their spouses in Casablanca. Little did I know all that I would learn in the journey. Morocco is an amazing country at the cross-roads of two continents and influenced by the French occupancy as well as the Berber tribes. But also influenced by AMERICAN Culture and not always in the best way. We got off the plane and were greeted by huge billboards of none other than…THE DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES shilling American style McMansions in the suburbs of Casablanca. And here I thought the audience wouldn’t know what a Suburban Outlaw was (the name was actually borne of my disdain for the term itself). Those billboards aside, the city of Casablanca by the sea is replete with gorgeous art deco architecture, houses that are painted bright colors, and the third largest mosque in the world built on the coast line to accommodate 25,000 people. We walked through the souks (guided by a wonderful cabbie whose son lives in Quebec!) and discovered places that the tourists wouldn’t normally get to see. We also visited a rehab hospital (the only one in North Africa) built by a remarkable woman, Amina Slaoui who I have come to know and love. Next up, her inspiring story and how one person can change the world around them. I know what I learned and experienced on this trip will influence me for a long time. But the most important lesson: get out of your comfort zone, in whatever way you can, you never know what you will learn and how you will change from it unless you do.
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February 5th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
That’s wild! Desperate Housewives marketing McMansions?
Too much!
Can’t wait to hear about Amina! Why so few rehab Centers there?
Can’t imagine.
Before I go, I must inquire…when you were in Casablanca, did anyone ask “Play it again Pam!” …or perhaps ” Say it again Pam!” Thanks for the update.