A Jack of all trades

01.03. Merzouga We are in the desert. With one foot. If you want to dive deep into this infinite expanse of sand and sun, you need help. That's where Hassan comes in. In the Sahara, he is the Jack of all trades. Camel tours, trips with jeeps and quads, campfires, hikes, and even repairs on the motorhome - the Berber can fulfill all wishes. However, during these days and weeks, he has his own wishes, and only one specific woman can make them come true...

Hassan, whoever wants to go into the desert in Merzouga comes to you. You speak Arabic, French, and especially perfect German. You have surely lived in Germany, haven't you?

Hassan: "No! I have never been to Germany!"

That can't be true! Why do you speak German so well?

Hassan: "I just liked this language so much. I bought books and tried to learn the language that way. But it didn't work. It was only through talking, through contact with the tourists, that I learned what I know today."

How long have you been doing this job?

Hassan: "Ten years. I love my work, the contact with people, the different languages..."

You are truly the Jack of all trades. Has there ever been a wish that you couldn't fulfill?

Hassan (laughs): "Yes, there actually was! A Dutchman once fell in love with me. Sadly, I had to disappoint him."

That won't be the only unpleasant surprise you've experienced here.

Hassan: "No. I still remember the two German couples. One man fell in love with the other man's wife. That caused a lot of trouble. The two couples left immediately - each in a different direction."

Are you married?

Hassan: "No. Unfortunately not. Not yet."

How old are you?

Hassan: "45 years old."

That's quite old for a single person...

Hassan: "Yes, I know what you mean. But it's not that simple for us. I have four brothers. I am the youngest. I can only get married when my four older brothers are married."

Oh! How many brothers are already married?

Hassan: "Three. And my one year older brother will get married in two months."

Then it's your turn.

Hassan: "Yes, finally! Having a family and children is my deepest wish."

Do you already have a bride?

Hassan: "... Well... There is a neighbor... She is 32 years old."

Wait a minute! Isn't a 32-year-old woman too young for a 45-year-old man?

Hassan: "My friend ... You have to understand that it is common for us to marry younger women, and often love doesn't play a big role in that."

That doesn't sound good to me - to put it mildly.

Hassan: "Yes, but that's how it is for us. We marry primarily to have children, so that we are provided for in old age."

The children have to take care of their elderly parents?

Hassan: "Only the sons."

And what if someone only has daughters?

Hassan: "That is unfortunate, but maybe the husband of the daughter will help. And if not, the city helps, the mayor, for example, asks for donations for the elderly. In any case, nobody needs to go hungry here."

So you only want to marry your 32-year-old sweetheart so she can give you many sons.

Hassan: "No! It's different for us. We looked at each other and it... what do you say? It clicked."

It clicked.

Hassan: "Yes, it clicked. And in the summer, we will get married."

Do you already have a date?

Hassan: "No."

What does "no" mean?

Hassan: "I have to talk to her about it first."

You want to get married in the summer and you haven't talked to her about your marriage yet?

Hassan: "No."

What do you talk about with each other then?

Hassan (thinks): "... We have never talked to each other."

But you will get married in the summer.

Hassan: "Yes. That's for sure."