Oh what might have been.
This Moroccan adventure is fast coming to a close and what an adventure it has been. Winding (greater) Middle Eastern roads traveled, stomach-wrenching sickness vanquished, Hollywood film enjoyed abroad and waves, ocean waves, ridden. I shall get to the last bit, later, but I am in no state, currently, as my heart, my poor ticker, went for a ride, yesterday, that I once imagined impossible. The highest of highs spiked with heretofore unheard of highs crashed back to earth rudely and aggressively.
The family had made its way back to Marrakech, from the coast, after five days at the dreamiest surf lodge. Since only one and one half nights would be spent, it was decided to book a hotel by the airport, instead of the old medina, and there was a Marriott dubbed “all-inclusive.” Magically, it included a dystopian waterpark with deadly features and a staff who laughed at the concussed. Thankfully, the family is athletic and survived. The adrenaline was already pumping when I saw that favorite son Ramzi Boukhiam had bashed Brazil’s Joao Chianca in the opening frame of the Vivo Rio Pro, advancing to his first bracket stage (I think) of the year. I knew that the Atlas Lions football (soccer) team would be playing JP Currie’s Scotland later that evening and a wild dream began to percolate.
Might today be a Moroccan Treble? Boukhiam winning Round 2, moving onto Round 3 and the Lions clawing out of the World Cup Group Stage?
Be still my beating heart.
Morocco and Scotland would not face off until near midnight (11:00) meaning Boukiam would cross proverbial swords with Italo Ferreira, first. While the Brazilian spinning top was certainly favorited, the vibe was pure tanjine and I knew that history would be made.
Alas, the home cooking was churrascaria and the Moroccan was done dirty by the judges, failing to make the score on his last wave and falling by barely three points. It was under a cloud of depression with which I shuffled to the Marriott’s windowless basement conference rooms, where they broadcast World Cup games. Morocco defeated Scotland one nil, as they say, leaving only a Morocco double in its wake.
Oh what might have been.