This interview is based on a conversation with Nina Ottevanger, 31, a surf instructor and co-owner of Ilyana Surfhouse , a small business in Rabat, Morocco. It has been edited for length and clarity.
Eleven years ago, I was traveling in Morocco with two friends. While in Rabat, we wanted to surf and found a place online. We were greeted by a man named Ilyass. The main group had already left, but he offered us a private lesson. Something clicked between us.
He shared his number in case we wanted to go out that evening, but we chose an early night so we could continue traveling the next morning. I texted to say I hoped our paths crossed again…
