If you have ever boarded the Royal Air Maroc, you will know that the boarding time is not “sleep friendly “at all. I was given 1:00 am as the check in time but being someone who has missed flights previously, I was at the Kotoka International Airport as early as 10:30 pm.
When I got to the airport, the place was quiet and quite empty so I found myself a nice chair to make myself comfortable. I woke up at 12:48am and decided not to sleep again. I went out briefly to buy some few things as I awaited check-in.
Coming back to the waiting area, I saw some passengers had already in a queue; I joined the bandwagon. When it got to my turn, the gentleman at the counter requested for a hard copy of Visa letter, which I didn’t have (I am supposed to get my visa upon arrival in Morocco). He again requested for hard copies of other documents.
“I thought everything is digital now that’s why I didn’t print it” I answered. I asked where I could print it out since I had them on my phone. The Gentleman said I could only get them printed at Osu, some 20-minute drive from the airport.
I checked my phone and the time was 1:26am. “Bossu, looking at the time, going to Osu right now is impossible. I didn’t come with anyone and I don’t know anyone that can print it at this time so kindly help me.”
Being a good man that he is (I’ve forgotten his name), he called his colleague to help me out within 10 minutes, I had it.
Now, boarding was supposed to be 4:55am but we were onboard at 6:10am. I don’t know why, as we didn’t get any explanation. Well, the flight final took off and we got to Casablanca within some four hours, thirty minutes.
As we walked through the corridors of the airport, I saw a very familiar face. That was Kofi Sumaila Addae, a former CAFOnline editor. He was standing beside a man who held a card with the inscription “CAF”. I said to myself, Ayisha, you have truly landed. The said man took us to the immigration office and within a split second, we had our visas; yes no queues.
At the sidewalks of the airport sat some pretty Mercedes Benz cars to pick us up; without hesitation, I jumped into the nearest one. Because at this point, a sister was tired and hungry. The ride from Casablanca to Rabat took an hour. The road, I can compare to that of Lausanne, Switzerland because I have been there. The laws in some countries are truly working oooh. The laws are working honestly. I had the smoothest ride ever.
We finally arrived at my hotel, Hotel Farah Rabat. Such a beautiful place it is. The staff, so nice and the hospitality top notch. I checked in, finally got internet connection and responded to some emails and messages then I rested.
I was up at 5:30pm to go to the stadium for the World Cup playoffs game between Cameroon and Botswana. The driver played me by giving me a wrong time…..hahahaha . Instead of the 6PM he mentioned, the game was at 9pm; but never mind I made the most of the time. It is always good to be at the stadium earlier. I had a great time at the stadium as I met some colleagues from different countries covering the tournament. It was indeed a beautiful moment catching up with everyone especially those I had never met but was constantly in touch with.
#AyishaInMorocco day one was beautiful. I am positive the rest of the days will be wonderful.
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