Morocco, the lack of safety was an energizing force, but at the same time it was a constant concern. I had seen more accidents than I could count: car wrecks with people half dead lying on the ground, building sites where workmen had tumbled from scaffolding, children maimed by fireworks on a Sunday afternoon. For the first time in my life I became completely alert. In the West, you can drift from day to day in the knowledge that the society will protect you and your children.
In his book "The Caliph's House: A Year in Casablanca," Tahir Shah reflects on the dual nature of living in Morocco. While the ever-present danger in the environment sparked a heightened sense of awareness, it also induced a sense of unease. Witnessing numerous accidents, from serious car crashes to construction site injuries and even children harmed by fireworks, Shah's experiences shifted his perception of safety and vigilance.
Unlike the comforting predictability of life in the West, where society offers a safety net, Morocco's stark realities compelled Shah to be fully conscious and attentive to his surroundings. This newfound alertness was both an energizing force and a source of ongoing worry, illustrating the complex relationship between risk and awareness in his daily life.
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