Episode Five: Proud to be Marrakechia

Salam, listeners! I hope you are all doing well. I am sorry I disappeared last week. I was not feeling well, but alhamdulillah, I am doing much better now and am excited to share a new episode with you all!

In this episode, I speak with my former (but forever) host sister, Oumaima. Oumaima is an English teacher who was born and raised in the Old City of Marrakech. She loves her city and especially enjoys sharing its culture with visitors from both inside and outside of Morocco.

Together, we talk about why Oumaima loves Marrakech and what makes her proud to call herself Marrakechia. We dive into the everyday culture of the city — from motorbikes and Moroccan jokes to crowded streets and the constant presence of tourists. We also talk about what it’s like to live in one of Morocco’s most touristy cities and the parts of Marrakech that tourists may never see.

We also talk about Oumaima’s experience hosting international students and how, even when their stays are short, they can become a part of the family. For Oumaima, welcoming students into her home has created relationships that last far beyond their time in Marrakech, something I know personally from my time living with her family. We talk about what it means to open your home to someone from another country and how those experiences can shape the way you understand both your home and the people who become a part of it.

To receive updates on the podcast and learn more about my Arabic journey, Darija, and Moroccan culture, you can follow me on Instagram @salamzinazwina. I would also be happy to hear your thoughts and answer any questions about today’s episode.

Here are some of the important words and expressions used in this episode:

تبادل لغوي و ثقافي- Language and cultural exchange 

قلب المدينة القديمة -The heart of the old city

في ديك الساعة - At that time

كل مدينة في المغرب كيكون عنادها واحد طعم- Every city in Morocco has it's own flavor

مراض بالدقة- Sick with asthma

كتپارتاجيها - You share it 

سائح/سياح- Tourist/Tourists

سياحة -Tourism

صورة نمطية - Stereotype

فكاهين- Comedians

الطرائف ديال مراكش و طرائف ديال بلادك-The jokes of Marrakech and the jokes of your country

طريقة احترافية - In a professional way

كيحببوك في مدينتهم- They welcome you to their city 

باش تعودي تيجي - so you keep returning

ثقافة ديال الموطور- Motorbike culture

أزقة ضيقين - Tight alleyways

الشجاعة - Courage

رياض/رياضات -Riad

كنت كنستقبل عندي طلبة- I used to host students

كيمشيو دئما بالبكاء- They always leave crying

واحد عنصر من العائلة ديالنا - A part of our family

منين كايحلو عينيهم - From when they open their eyes

الأجواء- Environement/vibes

طريقة سطحية - Surface level

ضروري أنهم يتختشاو وسط عائلة مغربية- They have to live in a Moroccan family 

حديقة الحيوانات - Zoo

كتكوني فشيشكل عليهم - You appear strange to them

فاخرة/ فخورة - Proud

كنبين كوني مراكشية -I demonstrate my Marrakechi identity

طريقة غير مباشرة - Indirectly 

فين تزدينا وفين كبرنا - Where we were born and grew up

ما يمكنش توصف - You cannot describe

داك الحنين وداك الشوق - That nostalgia and longing