Imane

Imane b.

Be nice with others.


Try to understand people.

10.03.2023

I’m at a camping place next to Marrakesh. It’s so fucking hot. And noisy! I look around me, so many people eating, lying by the pool or having a drink at the small bar. A look up to the sky shows scarce yellowish clouds, which, I am certain, will not bring any rain at all. Palm trees frame the moving picture from all sides. My phone beeps and there is a voice coming from the other end.

Hey Hello! How are you?

Good, thank you!

Great! What’s your name?

Imane.

How old are you?

I’m  32 years old.

What gender are you?

I’m female.

Where do you live?

I live in Agadir in Morocco.

What are you doing right now?

I’m trying to find a job in my field. Also I’m thinking about a business with art. I wasn’t really happy in my last job. I felt like a robot with all the routine. So I quit. Now I want to run my own business, maybe in artistic things. I have to earn money soon. I would love to have the feeling my life lays in my own hands.

What's about your childhood?

Where did you grow up?

I was born in Ouhawara. It’s a place close to Agadir. It’s an agricultur place and really beautiful. When I was 8 years old, my parents moved to Agadir. 

How was the contact with your Family?

With all the nearest family we are very close. Family is number one. We always eat together. Waiting for each other is duty! My family always comforting me. My  father  is a teacher. He don’t likes art, but its okay. I understand that he wants me to have a real job. Also I have two sisters. But I was the only one who was interested in cooking and baking.

School/Kindergarten/University?

I started primaryschool with 6, but my father teached me. (The first 2 years of primaryschool you
learn from one teacher.) I learnt
arabic alphabet and history and also a bit sience. I was a good student. I always tried to have good grates. Later, in Agadir, I also had Math and French. In highschool English and Sience. In Sport an Art, the artistic education, I
learned about Moroccan artists. After Highschool I studied Biologie in Marrakech. Back than I
 was 19 years old. My studie took me 3 years than I had the batchler. Afterwards I did my master in Fes at the University of Technologie and Sience.

Besides learning, what did you do in your childhood?

Normaly girls have dreams with girlthings. I liked foodball. I played football with boys and girls. Maroccan football is big. Also I helped my mother with house-stuff. I always loved to cook and to make everybody happy.

have you dreamed about your future?

I dreamed about a big farm, with own trees and plants. I was born in the natur. 

How are you right now?

Are you affraid of something in your Future?

Can I speak about religion?                  

                                            Sure!

No. I’m not afraid. I believe in God. When I’m not at peace, I know that my name is Imane and I think of God. Life is given to us. Do not worry about the future just live in the moment and try to be nice. Life is a lesson and I want to learn more.                                                                                  

Ahhh…in Arabic I would have better words!  

Haha! No problem, i think it’s never the less really intresting to talk to you!

Oh and can i ask you at this point: How important Is religion to you and what do you believe in?

I was actually born in a muslim family. I think  nobody can choose at this point. But you can grow into it and with it. I feel very  peaceful and thankful when I’m praying, for example. Ramadan is also important, you know. We have Ramadan in this month. It’s recharging our batterie. It’s really a high level of peace.

Okay! And whats about Politics? It’s also A topic for you?

Yeah sure! I think politics is in everything. It controlls our life. In the past I participate in a political-partie. It was a youth partie but I don’t know the english term right now. Also I go vote.

Okay. Nowdays?

At the moment I’m choosing not to vote. But I’m volunteering. I want to help others. There are many poor people in Morocco. When it’s snowing, it’s really cold in the mountains. Then we help the people and donate money or clothes. I really feel the need to help others.

Lets Move on to the Next Topic. What’s about Love, family and Friendship?

II feel that I have a kind of need to have a person who understands you. I want to be a mother one day, even more than I want to find love. But it’s all about balance. A lot of girls feel the need to be a mother, but for me it’s also important to find real love. In my religion, I have to get married before I can be a mother.  It’s not calculated. If I can’t find a person I love, it’s okay. I haven’t found the right person in recent years.

Is there a lot of Religios restriction and how you feel about it?

I can’t stop loving, I can’t stop feeling. But I have to be in a relationship with limits. Kissing before marriage is impossible.  That’s the vision of my religion. I respect my religion. But we are human, many women have children without marriage. Everyone makes mistakes. It is how we deal with it. It is not forbidden, but it is controlled.

Restriction About Drugs?

The law has parts similar to the Koran. For example, no alcohol in front of the police. You can find alcohol everywhere. But it’s more for tourism, because we respect the different cultures. Hashish is also forbidden. It’s an infrigement.

Okay Wow! Thank you so much Imane! I Learnd so much today. One last question:

What would you say to the world, if everybody would listen to you?

Be nice to other people. Try to understand them. Just  smile.

Thank You so much Imane!

You’re welcome 🙂

Muhammad

 

 




“Someday your life will come to an end, than money is  nothing worse anyway. I´m fulfilled.”

 

 

 

 

06.03.23

Luzi an I have just arrived in the desert. After 20 minutes of extremly bumpy driving through the Sahara, we see the dunes. It’s overwhelming! It’s the entrance to a world out of sand, unlike anything we’ve seen by now. Yellow sand and blue sky. Everywhere! We stay in a small camp next to the dunes. There is only one other girl and our host and cook. While it is almost 40° outside, we sit in our little mood-hut and drink sugary Berber tea.

Salām aleikum: 

Wa Aleikum assalam! 

 

What’s your name?

Muhammad.

 

How old are you?

30.

 

Which Gender?

Male. 

Where do you live?

At the gates to the Sahara near Tagounite.

 

What are you doing rigth now?

Right now? I drink tea with my friends 😉

Tell me about your childhood.

where did you grow up?

I grew up in Tagounite, right inside the Sahara dunes.

 
How was the contact with your family?

I have five sisters and a brother who lives in Rabatt. My parents are divorced. My mother stayed in Tagounite. Meanwhile, my father moved to a village not far from here. He is in the Millitary. I don’t have much contact with him, we just phone from time to time, because I don’t really want to see him. He left my family early, leaving me and my older brother to take care of the the family. He didn’t give us any money. The contact with my mother is much better. I visit her when I’m in Tagounite.

 

Did you visit any School or University?

I went to school from  the age of 9 to 14 years. I skipped primary school.  I also never went to  university. Maybe one day, Inshallah!

 What did you do instead?

I worked in a big souk . It’s like a market or a  bazaar. I  sold herbs there.

 How Long did you do that?

For 4 years. From  the age of 9 to 11. After leaving school I worked as a tourist guide!. I did camel tours through the Sahara.

 Did you Had Time for Hobbies or friends?

Yes. I went to the Sahara with friends to talk and walk.

 Dreams Or Expections for your future?

No.

Tell me about today.

How does your life look like today?

I’m still doing camel tours. Sometimes I guide tourists through the Sahara with a camper van.

What do you do in your freetime?

I love being in the Sahara with its  silence and vastness. I also like to visit other cities for example the desert city Shigata. I also enjoy cooking and walking around with friends inside the desert. If a friend asks me to go on a spontaneous trip, I might join. In general, I don’t really like to travel, for example, I’ve never left Morocco, I don’t feel much longing for it.

 and Berber Tea? 😉

For sure! Berber tea as often I can. Sheers!

 

Sheers! Are you religios Muhammad?

I believe in Allah! But I wouldn’t say I’m a Muslim. Sometimes I go to a Mosque and I’m also attending Ramadan. But I also drink alcohol, if there are Spanish tourists with alcohol, I’ll join in. But that’s life.

 Okay. But what do you really belive in?

I enjoy life. Above all I really like the calmess in the desert. I believe in the afterlife.I believe in everything that Allah has willed to happen. I want to stay healthy. That is my dream. Everything else happens as it should. 

What's about your future?

Muhammad, what do you want to archieve in life?

I don’t know. I sleep, wake up in the morning, get ready for the day. Walk and look around. That’s the most I plan to do.

 

No imagination when you think about your future? Maybe in ten years?

I have to see what comes next. I just want to stay healthy at all costs!

 

What’s about family?

Maybe someday. Not now. I need my freedom, with family it’s different.

And Politics?

I don’t like it. I’m not interested. I don’t think their decisions have much meaning for me. Politicians are crazy. With friends I only talk about life and work. There is not  much room for politics.

are you happy?

Oh yes. I like my life. I’m independent. I don’t have a house or a lot of money. Someday your life will come to an end, than money is  nothing worse anyway. I’m fulfilled. 

Nothing you would change?

Everything’s fine.

No bad days at all??

Sure! I stay alone then. To clear my mind.

 Muhammad, what would you say to the world, if everybody would listen to you?

Health is the most important thing! You can buy everything in life, but not health. health you can’t buy.

 Tenmert!

Merhaba!

Said

05.03.23

When everyone does what they want in life, everyone is the happiest.

We are sitting at the entrance to the campsite. Ayoub, a friend and the owner of the campsite in Quzazate, is running back and forth between the office, the construction site of the new restaurant and the French tourists who need his help. Next to us, a wall is being replastered. It’s hot and dusty. Every few minutes a huge white camper van arrives, bringing both customers and work. The interview takes place in several sessions. From time to time I have to wait to restart Google Translate.

SALĀM ALEIKUM!

Wa Aleikum assalām! 
 

WHAT’S YOUR NAME?

Said.
 
HOW OLD ARE YOU?
31 Years.

WHAT GENDER ARE YOU?

Male.

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

In Quarzazate in Morocco.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING RIGHT NOW?

Working at the reception at a campingplace.

Tell me about your Past:

Where did you grow up?

In the desert. A little town called Mhamid ca. four hours cardrive away from Quarzazate.

How was the contact with your family?

My father died early. I lived with my mom and my four siblings.


School/Kindergarden/University?

No. I never went to school or anything else.


What have you done with your time instead?

I worked as a tour guide for camel tours in the the Sahara. Moreover, I took photographs and sold them.

Hobbies?

Lots of football! Watching and playing with my friends.

And Dreams?

No.

Today?

How does your life look like today?

I work at my friend’s campsite. In my free time I sometimes travel to neighbouring cities like Agadir or Marrakech. From time to time I’m an extra or even a stuntman in films being made at the Atlas Film Studios next door.

 

What’s your favourite activity?

I have a house called “Big Caspar” in Rosen Valley nearby. It belonged to my father before he died. It’s mine now and I enjoy spending time there.

 

How important is religion to you?

Very important! I am Muslim, I go to the mosque and fast during Ramadan. However, I have to quit drinking. During prayers you have to be sober so you can be present!

Plans for the future?

What else do you want to achieve in life?

The house I was just talking about. I need to renovate it before I can move in. Afterwards I get my mother from Mhamid and we live there.

 

What about family?

 In the future. Not now. First the money for the renovation, then family.

 

Said, would you say you’re happy?

I like to live. I like my life.


Nothing you would change?

Definitely stop drinking and smoking. But I can’t think of more right now.

One last question! 

What would you say if you could speak to the whole of humanity? If they could all listen to you?

When everybody does what they want in life, everyone is the happiest! 

That works? 

Inshallah!

There is so much meaning in that word. I had goose bumps. The exchange and new contacts are so enriching. 10 minutes later Luzi and I left. We didn’t have to pay anything, although we insisted. 

Inshallah! This was certainly not our last time at the Ouarzazate campsite.