For one adventurous couple, an anniversary celebration became something much more
By PJ Ellingson of Lake George, Colorado, 14-time traveler, Sir Edmund Hillary Team member, and Vacation Ambassador
When Mark and I were married three years ago, I thought it was just a combined birthday party. Unbeknown to me, Mark had invited the local pastor. Surrounded by family, friends, and neighbors, he proposed and we got married!
While traveling on Morocco Sahara Odyssey this past March/April, our wonderful Trip Leader Jamal discovered it was our third anniversary. On April 1 we were in Fez, and, following our home-hosted dinners, Jamal asked everyone to come into the hotel restaurant. We thought it was to discuss our group home-hosted dinners (which were excellent, by the way), but instead Jamal had arranged for an anniversary cake with three candles and a card signed by everyone. We were overwhelmed!
But it gets better! On Day 11 of the trip, we traveled from Tineghir to Ouarzazate with a lunch stop at Kasbah Dades. After a delicious lunch, Jamal asked if everyone was game for a ceremony. Our group was a little too enthusiastic about it—Jamal had clued them in earlier and they all kept the secret. He said, “Let’s have a wedding.”
The father of the extended family living in the Kasbah is a notare (notary public) and does wedding ceremonies. His name is Mohammed ben Brahim and he and his wife graciously dressed Mark and me in their wedding attire. The wife’s costume is very ornate with a gold sequin gown and white lace over-garment and amber necklace, not to mention all the scarves placed over my head. Mark was dressed in a jalaba and turban with a dagger at his side.
Mohammed started writing the document in Arabic, and Jamal told us it is a legal wedding certificate. Surprise wedding number two! We all had a good laugh when Mohammed asked what the dowry was. Mark said, “A gold ring and 100 camels.” Everyone said they were coming to Colorado to see them. They may have a long wait.
It was a wonderful ceremony and fun experience; we’ll never forget our Moroccan wedding. Jamal is a “hopeless romantic” and an excellent Trip Leader. He made it very special, not only for us, but for the whole group.
Travelers PJ and Mark Ellingson have enjoyed their OAT adventures so much, they’ve referred two of their friends to travel with us—and shared valuable savings. Find out how you can become a Vacation Ambassador, too.
Learn more about OAT’s Morocco Sahara Odyssey adventure.