Morocco! Cover photo is of the night market in Marrakech. If you love food and experiences then definitely this should be on your travel bucket list.

They Moroccans are in a group with Spain, Portugal and Iran. Even though they qualified through a very tough group in Africa I cannot name a single player on their national team, they are toast.

Alright, on 1st glance they are trying to get back  El Haddadi, who played 1 game as a sub for the Spanish national team which has screwed his eligibility. I have never heard of this man, he apparently plays for Alaves but he ain’t coming through those doors.

They do have Medhi Benatia who plays for Juventus who was the guy that gave Madrid the penalty late in the Champions League this year.

I just went through the rest of the roster and current news and let me tell you futbol commentists, it does not look promising. Sky Sports didn’t even have names for the starting 11. 

Music! This here was a banger in February from what the internet tells me. Did I listen to it before inserting it? No, no I did not. I normally enjoy videos from Muslim countries that attempt to live the party lifestyle however there is no booze to be found. It is refreshing. Let ‘s have a look,

I enjoy the go-pro selfie stick work by Serhani here. The tune isn’t much but the super fun lifestyle attempt is there. I only have 1 issue and that is the fact that they looked to be sitting with the commoners in coach on a plane.  Also, did you notice that there were no scantily clad women? Video is just a crew of Moroccan dudes driving around, singing and living the life.

I was lucky enough to backpack through this fair country in 2000. I had planned on going to Marrakesh from Spain for 4 days and then return to Europe. I stayed 3 weeks and toured a good portion of the country, it was incredible. Our group (random backpackers) was hiking in the Atlas mountains with a local guide and he was communicating through me as he spoke French. He turned to me while stopped in the mountains and asked whether I had a knife or not? I gave him my Swiss Army backpacker standard issue and he proceeded to give about 5 plants the bottom to top handjob quite vigorously. He then used my knife to scrape the resin off of his hands and asked for a cigarette and some papers. He had just scraped the crystals of the hash plants and wanted to get high. Superb how did he know I would have papers on me???

I then noticed that while in Chefchaouen that there were a heck of a lot more calls to prayer than anywhere else in the country. In our stoned haze I asked him if I was imagining things or if this was indeed the case?

Loosely translated. “Sir, from time to time you are in a relaxed state and can not make it to prayers immediately. We have a few more so you can pray enough.” Got it, too high, can’t pray.

He also told me to look at the police when I am in town and what they are smoking. These cops had large rizla papers and would use their cigarette filters in the end so they looked like giant cigarettes. They were getting stoned. Great hustle.

I selfishly do not want North America to get the World Cup 2026 bid as that is my 50th bday year. I selfishly would love to return to Morocco for the futbol tourney. Fantastic country, great cities (Tangiers a bit sketch, Casablanca just a city), and the food is absolutely superb.