It was January 19th, 2011 when I got an invitation: In Partnership with AIESEC Menara Marrakech in Morocco , University Cadi
Ayyad of Marrakech organise the 7th edition of the International Marketing
Congress under the Patronage of his Majesty the King MOHAMED 6.

Theme : The contribution of Territorial Marketing to the development of Regionalization and Autonomy in the Southern Moroccan provinces: Benchmarking of international experiences.

Dates : 20th – 27th February.

Venue : Marrakech and Es-Smara, Morocco.

AIESEC Menara invite you to participate in this great event . 300 students, 
PHDs and Professionals will participate from all over the world!

The University take in charge : Flight tickets, Accommodations on 5 stars hotel, Food, Conferences, Study-tour at Marrakech and Desert, Parties AND SO ON!

To apply : You should be a student or a PHD with a Marketing background. 
Only 2 students and a PHD will benefit from free charges above! 
Send your resume to: 
salim.anass@aiesec.net  /  medali.hommane@aiesec.net

Want to share your country experiences? Want to live an unforgettable week at the most touristic sites of Morocco? Want to meet students and companies from all over the world? This is your chance. Don’t miss it !

It sounded so interesting, and topic was close to my interest and perspective to find new friends and get new contacts just exited me. And last but not least – my students, who are in AIESEC Estonia asked me to take part.

The beginning was promising – organizers promised to cover all expenses – hotels and flights and also some food. And really, less then one week some lovely Morocco boys started to organize flight tickets. But unfortunately they did not succeed – unfortunately I could not, because of my work duties, to stay in Morocco as long organizers expected – some days after conference, and I asked flight tickets what were suitable for my schedule. As a comment – of course it would be good to spend many weeks in Morocco, but this was a work trip for me, and mostly Nordic universities has a very busy schedule and you can’t stay in conference for longer period than one week. But organizers could not give suitable tickets for me. At the same time I found in internet that there are really good flights between Tallinn and Morocco. Was very surprising that organizers could not book those flights – their arguments were irrational and to be honest – not very competent.

Finally we agreed that I’ll buy my tickets myself and they will give this money to me back in Morocco. This agreement was also discussed by Morocco’ side organizers boss Mr Benmoussa (or what ever was his name) – because Salim, the contact person said he could not promise it himself.

I arrived in Morocco and due first days organizers had not time to give this money to me – I was patient to wait. Then we took a flight to EsSmara in West Sahhara – in this place they just had not cash – as they said. Promised to give me money immediately after we return to Marrakesh. I was patient and believed that this university is collection of intelligent and honest people – no place for stereotypes about southern people, who do not to play fair play with white people, in my mind, yet. And also, I really could not think, that the price – flight tickets price was 850 euros – can be the price not to play fair play. I think – this is too little sum to sell reputation and good name? But story went ahead…

Back in Marrakesh from Es Smara – again organizers had not time to give me money back – too busy, weekend, and all other arguments.

I left Morocco with promise – we will give this money to Estonian AIESEC representative (she stayed for longer – as I said organizers capability to book suitable flights were horrible), she will bring my money – also I left all documents I had about flight payment in my travel agency.

She returned some days later and without money – organizers asked my bank account number and promised to send me money. After some month I started to ask – organizers had a new explanation: they have difficulties with payments to abroad and they must wait if some persons will go to Western Europe and will bring me money. To be honest – I never hear a such an absurd arguments…

And of course – I asked about their promise and about my money many times – wrote to Salim, wrote to this mysterious Benmoussa, etc. In the beginning Salim promised me different things, but today its is already a long silence from Morocco’ side. And this is the main reason I decided to publish this case. It’s already 9 months and I really was very patient to wait. This is very big money for me and because of this case I had not money for holiday this year – I just spent my savings in Morocco. And this was not my dream holiday. I was stupid that I really believed those young guys. And I ignored the stereotype thinking what is common in Nordic countries about southern and Muslim people. I really had my good will to believe and trust them. Now I’m really disappointed and  think – maybe they also follow their stereotypes, that every white human is walking wallet? But we are not – we also earn our money with hard work and this is not easy money.

Anyway… My message is – do not trust Morocco people, do not trust Muslims – their talks about honest principles in their religion are fake. And never trust University Cadi Ayyad of Marrakech in Morocco.

Life is unfair – I got my lessons and bad feelings about  Morocco. I never do not like to visit this country again – I’m so disappointed. And I’m ready to talk to everybody how University Cadi Ayyad of Marrakech in Morocco scam me. But I’m so sad and so sorry about my good Muslim friends  – really do not like to think about your culture in that way – but my experience talks in this case.

I still wait my money. And think, that honesty you can sell with 850 euros – cheap guys you are, Morocco’ guys!

In this photo I’m in the Es Smara (West Sahara) airport with King who did some patronage for this event.

Due this trip I also did not see not one 5* hotel as it was promised . One photo also from hotel in EsSmara (5*?), toilet was in the corridor, shower in the street, my T-shirt was poly-functional in this case – also used as a towel:

More photos in my flicker page: Morocco and West Sahara

Ok and today I finally took my time to refresh my life in this blog. You can find new materials in the pages “About me”, “Articles”, “Comments”, “Photos&Videos”… I hope you’ll enjoy. Some of them are in Estonian. But some of them are also in English, for example this article about me in the Tallinn University Newsletter

I was surprised also – my last 9 months were so active from promotional side. Estonian media asked my opinion many times, articles, presentations, public lectures at my new university. Cool, I must say !

Look also my tweets and conference website link at right side roll in my blog.