Day 3 – Casablanca to Marrakesh

Today began with about three hours of sleep. Like a baby, I just can’t get my days and nights together and it’s beginning to show.

We then drove through the countryside in the dark. As soon as the sun came out, my body decided to go to sleep. So there will be no pictures of houses in Marrakesh.

After arriving at the conference with 3,000 other people, I understood exactly how blessed I was to be present. I must admit I have had passport withdrawals all day after exchanging my passport for a translation headset. Couldn’t they just take my driver’s license? It’s cheaper and easier to replace.

The conference was held in a series of air-conditioned tents and began with speeches from heads of state from the African Continent and the USA. Attendees were encouraged to set meetings with other conference attendees to build relationships and close business deals through a special conference application. Free Wi-Fi was available throughout the conference campus.

Lunch was mind-blowing! There were tables of meal-worthy hors d’oevres, desserts and whole fruit everywhere and waiters offering more of the same as you passed. They replaced the appetizers with the meal and yet more appetizers.

As soon as I filled my plate, we were ushered into the VIP area. The VIP area would not allow me to bring in my plate. Maybe the VIP and non-VIP foods could not be commingled….So as not to waste food (especially being IN Africa and all), I left my plate with a nice bureaucrat from the Morocco Foreign Affairs Bureau.

It’s a good thing, because I wasn’t eligible for the VIP food and I returned to my salmon and lemon tart and a lively conversation with my fellow bureaucrat. There ought to be a global government employee conference.

During the entrepreneur’s pitch session, I realized that working for the White House or Department of State may get me to the next conference in Sub-Saharan Africa. NOTE TO SELF: Add to vision board.

I met Akon after the light in my eyes had gone and I couldn’t summon it up. But hell, I took a picture with a huge celebrity and got to be part of the cool kids entourage. TIP: In order to maintain entourage status, you have to smile and move when the celebrity moves. Entourage status gets you cool pictures and access to the front row of the conference (where Joe Biden sat this morning). I took my status a step further and decided to snag a picture on stage.

It also causes you to wait to support the celebrity and your team until their panel starts. So I’m imagining a clothing change, hot shower, a glass of Shiraz in an Olivia Pope glass, the Scandal finale and the President’s speech on immigration.

I will most probably get dinner and have fun in Marrakesh in the cool kids club. Dag, I wish I wore my cool kids clothes! But real cool kids don’t need them.

XO,

Brandi

Tomorrow, I will be looking for a camel to ride.

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