Double Blessed

I had the fortune of meeting Maddy in two separate countries. Both times completely unplanned.

I met Maddy for the first time in 2017 as we were both on the same Birthright bus. I'm not going to say I got to know him terribly well on that trip as it was a very brief trup. I do remember being struck at the time by how gregarious he was, how sharp of a mind he had and how he make could every conversation memorable.

In 2019 I met Maddy for the second time. I was traveling at the time in Europe and was waiting at an airport for a flight to Marrakesh when I happened to see a familiar face waiting for the same flight. I think we both had a moment of sheer incredulity at our meeting. Given how we were both solo traveling at the moment, Maddy and I agreed to hang out for the day, until Hannah had the opportunity come in. Over the next day as we explored Marrakesh, some notable moments happened:

1. Bit of an issue with an aggressive Moroccan taxi driver as we left the airport in the early morning hours. He aggressively changed the fare on us mid-ride and when I started to argue with him, Maddy told me to relax. In retrospect, that probabaly stopped us from getting kicked out on a random street in Marrakesh.

2. While exploring the Old Jewish Quarter together, we happened to pick up a "street guide" (e.g. someone who gives a free tour in exchange for you visiting someone's shop). That's the beginning of a story of how Maddy and I had to barter our way out of someone’s shop after we received some gentle "encouragement" to buy a head scarf. I've attached some of the photos from that store as a reference.

3. Drinking mint tea on a patio as the sound of the Muslim prayer calls rang out.

4. Maddy's fascination with taking photos of everything he possible could. I'm sure to those of you that know him well that's of no suprise, but to me it was mildly amusing. I swear I must have witnessed him taking the same picture a dozen times, until he got the perfect photo.

5. Exploring the old, dusty streets of Marrakesh without an idea of where we were. We would stop frequently and admire how on some streets, the modern world ceased to exist.
   

We lost touch after our trip as we took our own journeys. Yet every so often I have recalled that day in Marrakesh. The cries of the vendors in the Medina. The sound of our feet on cobblestone streets as we explored an ancient world. Those memories live on and I appreciate you, Maddy, for helping to create them. May you find peace