Why choose Essaouira
There are many reasons to plan a trip to Morocco and decide to visit Essaouira. We've already shared some of them in recent months on the Ranch blog , and today we're sharing another: at the Ranch de Diabat in Essaouira, along with Omar and Mohamed, Erika, who left Italy in 2006 to live in Morocco, awaits you.
Erika combines traditional Moroccan hospitality with a thorough understanding of the needs of Western tourists: a perfect blend for creating travel experiences in Morocco tailored to the needs of travelers, with the goal of providing unforgettable experiences to those who decide to organize their vacation in Essaouira, including a stop at Ranch de Diabat.
Who welcomes you in Essaouira?
6 questions for Erika
When did you take your first trip to Morocco and how did you organize it?
The first time was in 2006: backpacking on my shoulders, I set off alone to spend 25 days traveling in Morocco, studying the route on my beloved Lonely Planet and using public transport to get from one place to another.
During those weeks, I spent a lot of time with myself, my thoughts, my travel journal... but I never felt alone, because I met so many people, travelers and locals, whose languages I didn't yet speak but with whom I always established pleasant exchanges.
Then you decided to change your life: when did that happen? How did you feel? What prejudices did you have to fight against?
I decided to change my life as soon as I met Omar, without thinking twice: at first, I simply wanted to extend my first trip to Morocco, but I didn't have enough money in my bank account to reschedule the flight. So I returned home, resigned from my job, and told my parents I wanted to try living in Morocco for a while. I hadn't told them about Omar, but I think they understood.
At first they were really shocked by my decision: the only one who always supported me, however, was my maternal grandmother.
One of the things I was most sad to leave behind was definitely sports: I was a men's soccer referee, a field in which I had carved out a significant role by fighting against rampant chauvinism. I was sad to end this chapter of my life abruptly, but Morocco helped me achieve great satisfaction: for a while, I also refereed here in the men's soccer league, achieving great professional rewards and a fitting farewell to this passion that had accompanied me for so many years.
Unfortunately, I also left many friends behind in Italy: it wasn't easy to gain their understanding, and I had to contend with the prejudices of those who imagined me wearing a headscarf, shut away at home. And yet... in 18 years, I can assure you, I haven't had to wear the headscarf, nor have I stopped doing what I loved (sports, friends, traveling).
Of course, Omar and I had to compromise on some things, like any couple, but my freedom was never questioned.
Were there any difficulties at the beginning? Are things better now?
I was never afraid of language, religion, or the need to adapt to a culture different from my own.
At first, the biggest challenges were gaining my parents' understanding and finding something to do to support myself. Both issues were largely resolved and overcome: not only because my parents understood this was the right path for me, but above all because Omar and I built a well-structured business and even a family.
Like all families, there are still challenges: managing children, marriage, work issues... But cultural differences have never been a problem: I've always approached them with respect and felt integrated with the locals.
What do you miss most and what makes you say, instead, “I made the right choice”?
I can't deny that I miss my homeland, my family, and even my close friends... Every now and then I have to return to Italy, or take a trip somewhere, to breathe in some "European air" and recharge after periods of intense work.
However, there are several reasons why I'm convinced I made the right choice: the smiles and warmth with which I was welcomed from the beginning, even though I come from a different country, with a different culture and a different religion; the professional motivation of embarking on this career path in a country where there is still much to build and where, among other things, the bureaucracy is not as complex as in Italy.
I also believe my quality of life is very high: my family and I work with animals, we live immersed in nature, in an environment that inspires serenity and well-being. The greatest joy is hearing our children tell their Italian friends about their life in Essaouira and the pride of having received a dromedary as a birthday present!
What exactly do you do at the Ranch?
At the Ranch I take care of many things: at the beginning I opened the office, taking care of the administrative part, the commercial one and the management of personnel and company expenses.
Over the years, we've built a team, allowing me to share the management work with others and also focus on the more "material" side of things: not just planning, marketing, and liaising with agencies and tour operators, but above all, the hands-on experience with my beloved horses. Living with them, caring for them, and letting the wind guide us on our rides are priceless experiences that I love sharing with the people who travel with us.
Is being Italian an added value for Western tourists who come on holiday to Morocco?
Yes, I believe being Italian is an added value because they see organizational skills and reliability in me, and therefore the ability to trust without hesitation. However, I want to point out that these characteristics can also be found in many Moroccan colleagues: I am an atypical expat; I came here for love, not to "exploit" this country's resources or do things I couldn't have done in Italy due to bureaucratic obstacles.
I certainly learned the concept of “WELCOME” perfectly from the local community: “stop here, let’s sit down and talk a bit, with words, gestures, smiles”.
That's how it works here, even in the most touristy places, where the desire to sell something never comes without the desire to give the customer a small gift. The desire to sit around a table and spend time together is always a priority, so know that if you come to Ranch de Diabat, we will welcome you with open arms and make you feel right at home.
Milena Marchioni
