Sean Goes

Silence.  Almost perfect silence.  The faint shuffle of footsteps to the bathroom.  The encroaching chirp of birds, the rustle of twigs.  Then, as a horn sounds, a voice booms through a megaphone: “Allah—“.  It is 6 am; this is Simo’s riad.

The room rings back with vibrance: intricately woven drapes line the walls; expansive views of Moroccan mountain ranges, doused in violet and beige hues sing back in harmony with the reflections of the rising sun on the awning.  Echoing chants of “Allah” bolster this chorus of the daily religious ceremony.

I know it’s time to get up, but the bed is too comfy.  I stretch my legs and open the shutter doors to marvel at the sensory procession taking place.  Breakfast will be served at 8 AM, so there’s no need to get up.  As I lay back down, I wonder when the other guests will wake up… when we will reunite at the table to discuss our travel plans for the day… guests that welcome me as a part of their family, that I had only just met 3 days ago.  I smile as I anticipate the day of bartering, meeting locals, and practicing French as a second language.

8 AM passes, and I sleep through indistinct chatter.  It’s now 11 am.  I emerge through the shutters and reveal my host, Simo, on his laptop, smiling, who kindly welcomes me and offers me tea. 

Of course, I oblige. Simo offers to make me a homemade meal – brunch as it were – despite having already served breakfast.  But I already feel babied; last night’s meal of couscous left no room for improvement.  Yet secretly, I know Simo will try even harder to please me and a part of me wonders how that’s possible.  Something takes over, and I softly oblige.

Within 5 minutes of footsteps out the door, a grill fires up.  The clanking of pots and pans.  Within 20 minutes, a homemade, 2-course meal will be served, accompanied by fresh Moroccan bread and none other than Simo himself.  I discourage myself from offering to help him cook and join the table of fellow guests and family.  We laugh, we lament on the poverty, we ask questions, and we learn about one another’s culture.

This is just a sample of what a day at Simo’s riad feels like.  But the truth is, you need to BE there to truly understand its ability to transcend cultures.  I stayed with Simo for 5 days, and words cannot explain how legendary the experience was.  Simo is one of, if not THE, best AirBnB host I’ve ever met: always there, on premises if you need anything, knowledgeable on the area for useful tips and tricks, and most of all, kind, respectful, and understanding of all guests.  It’s too bad I have to leave, but I know I will always be welcome back to stay with Simo.