Advertising

Once upon a time I was an Advertising Exec. Not a glamorous one in Product Advertising tempting the public with luxury brands and unhealthy food but filling the back pages of newspapers and magazines with Recruitment Advertising.
The hours were long, the clients were demanding, but my colleagues were energetic, fun, clever and liked a drink at the end of the day.
My twenties passed by in a blur of deadlines, briefs, meetings, pitches, presentations, negotiating, gallons of coffee, litres of vodka and wine, countless cigarettes and a fair amount of stress.
I was frightened of progression and although was hard working and capable, didn’t want promotion and was happy with my salary so stayed at the same level for many years. It became embarrassing when younger colleagues got promoted vastly above me and when every member of my team overtook me so I took the decision to leave and handed in my notice.
Another catalyst was when our medium size agency was acquired by a large international agency and their targets and demands became every more unbearable. After a year of feeling more like a number than a loyal member of the team I decided to walk away.
The pay cut I took to find another job in a different industry has been painful, but the manageable hours and the chance to have a proper relationship has made it worthwhile.
I don’t regret what those years under pressure taught me but I’m glad I’m out of it. I’m living happily ever after.

Morocco

So far removed from anything else I had ever experienced, Morocco opened my eyes to cultural differences and the reality of poverty.
My first holiday which didn’t involve a resort, beach, nightclub, alcohol and short skirts, I was apprehensive about this foray into the unknown.
When we arrived in Marrakesh, the noises, smells and sights overwhelmed us. Sensory overdrive. So much to see and be aware of.
Myself and my friend, two women, one with a bright pink suitcase and the other with a backpack, attracted lots of attention. From then on we were known as Fatima and Aisha.
The beauty of the town, the people, the riyads we stayed in, the tagines we ate, the mint tea I consumed by the gallon; I fell in love more and more every day. The people were poor and we were surrounded on many occasions by children asking for money, but there was a friendliness and welcome that enriched our days there.

The souks, the medinas, our stay in Essaouira, camel rides, tour into the Sahara desert and night in a tent under the brilliant stars with the Berbers, every day was magic and I wanted to cling on to the thrill.

I was on a high for many weeks after my holiday and was overawed by all that I had seen and done.
The film Hideous Kinky provided a fix when I missed the drama and beauty of Morocco.
I love to read when I’m on holiday and I finished four excellent books in 12 days: Life of Pi, Lovely Bones, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Around the World in 80 Dates. As well as devouring the Morocco guide books and boring my friend with all the useless facts and figures.
I will return, hopefully with my husband one day.