Since watching Kate Winslet in 'Hideous Kinky' I've had a

"Since watching Kate Winslet in 'Hideous Kinky' I've had a profound love affair with Morocco, specifically Marrakesh. I've wanted to go for as long as I can remember because it looks a very romantic city and I'm a sucker for romance." – Joanna Page. In these words, Page reveals a deep, almost visceral connection to a place that resonates with her on an emotional level. Morocco, particularly Marrakesh, has captivated her imagination—not merely for its exotic beauty or its rich history, but for its romantic allure. In much the same way that the ancients viewed certain cities or lands as imbued with mystical qualities, Page’s longing for Marrakesh speaks to the power of place to evoke the deepest emotions and desires within the human heart. This is not just a longing for travel, but for the possibility of experiencing something extraordinary, a place that promises adventure and deep connection.

In the ancient world, certain cities were revered as places where romance and mysticism converged. Athens, for example, was known not only as the intellectual heart of Greece but also as a city where love, beauty, and philosophy intertwined. Philosophers like Plato and Socrates taught that beauty, in its many forms, was an avenue to the divine, leading the soul to deeper understanding. Similarly, Rome, with its grand architecture and rich mythology, was a city where romantic desires were often entangled with political ambition and historical conquest. In these places, romance was more than a personal experience; it was part of a larger tapestry that reflected the divine order of the world. Marrakesh, with its vibrant souks, stunning palaces, and rich cultural heritage, embodies a similar allure—a place where romance, mystery, and history are inseparable.

Page’s romantic longing for Marrakesh echoes the sentiments of the ancient poets who spoke of love not just as a fleeting emotion, but as something that transcends time and space. Take, for example, the ancient love stories of Tristan and Isolde, whose passionate yet doomed love became legendary. Their story, much like the longing Page expresses for Marrakesh, involves a journey—not just of geographical distance, but of deep emotional and spiritual transformation. For Page, the pull of Marrakesh is more than just a physical destination; it represents a dream, an idealization of a place where love and beauty meet. Kate Winslet’s portrayal of a character searching for meaning in Morocco likely stirred within Page a recognition of her own desire for a deeper connection, not just with a place, but with the romantic possibilities it represents.

In the story of Ibn Battuta, the famous Moroccan traveler and scholar, we find a real-life example of the romantic allure of the East. Ibn Battuta’s travels took him far beyond the reaches of his native land, across Africa, Asia, and Europe, and his accounts reveal the mysticism and romance he encountered in distant lands. Though his journeys were motivated by a desire for knowledge, his narratives also convey the sense of wonder and romance that comes from experiencing the unknown. For Ibn Battuta, as for Page, the attraction to Morocco was not merely a physical one—it was the possibility of discovery and transformation, of connecting with a place that awakened the deepest parts of his soul. This is the same allure that Marrakesh holds for Page—a city where romance and mystery intertwine to offer a new way of seeing the world.

The essence of Page’s longing is the belief that romance is not merely an emotion felt between two individuals, but a lens through which the world is viewed. Just as the ancients believed that love could open the soul to the divine, Page believes that romance is a pathway to experiencing life more deeply. Marrakesh, with its layers of history, culture, and beauty, is a metaphor for the journey of the soul—one that is not bound by the ordinary constraints of life but is instead free to explore the fullness of the human experience. Romantic love, in this sense, is not just about passion or desire but about seeking deeper meaning and connection—both with the world around us and with the divine aspects of our own selves.

The lesson we learn from Page’s reflection is that romance, when understood in its broadest sense, is a journey of discovery—whether to a foreign land or within our own hearts. In a world often obsessed with the pragmatic and the functional, the romantic spirit calls us to look beyond the surface and to find beauty, meaning, and connection in the most unexpected places. It reminds us that the world is not just a series of tasks to be completed, but a landscape of possibilities—places and moments where we can connect with the magic of life and experience the fullness of our humanity.

In our own lives, we should seek to embrace the romantic spirit—not just in the pursuit of love but in the way we approach the world itself. Like Page, we must dream of places and experiences that evoke the deepest parts of our souls. Whether through travel, art, or relationships, we should be open to the possibility of encountering the extraordinary in the ordinary. Let us live with a sense of wonder and possibility, knowing that romance is not confined to fleeting moments of passion, but is a lens through which we can experience the full depth of life’s beauty. By doing so, we open ourselves to a world that is rich with love, mystery, and meaning—a world where the heart can find its way to the places it truly longs to be.