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Published: June 29th 2010
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Moroccan Spice Day 95 - 100 Marrakech
Little was I prepared for the impact of Morocco. The centre of Marrakech ignites the senses, it's alive and vibrant, exciting and colourful. There is always something to see, an alleyway to explore, a store to stop at to chat with the vendor.
On my first day...I spoke to many people, enjoyed mint tea in a shoe store (I wasn't even shopping for shoes), watch the World Cup game between Australia and Ghana on the little TV in the back of the store, watched life go by at a restaurant near the main square, enjoyed a fabulous Tajine in a place that looks like it belongs in a movie set, Chez Brahim. An exotic mix of colours, aromas and people that is intoxicating. Who needs alcohol!
The people are friendly, helpful and open. And I feel that it's more than just to extract my money. They are a genuine people who respect other nationalities. And with the World Cup on at the moment there is a special banter... a common interest and international language that is football, that livens the conversation.
One day Hassan (from tea and football
yesterday) took me for a tour through the city. Not one where we visit palaces and mosques but through areas where the normal Kechi citizen lives. The real people not wearing the 'oh, there's a tourist with money' face. We visited the tannery near the Medina walls... the largest tannery in town. To make it a little more pleasant we carry a handful of mint leaves to crush and hold under our noses. The area is not owned by one business but is leased to many. After the tour is the obligatory visit to the store where we sit and are shown the leather products. Now, it took them a few minutes to understand that I wasn't interested in buying anything. What am I going to do with a leather pouffe? They are all very nice but useless to me.
We leave and take mint tea at a local store. There are many men from the tannery having their tea and lunch and I sit to watch life go by while Hassan chats to his many friends. Hassan invites me back home to meet his family and share lunch. What a treat! I am quickly involved with the younger
children and give an impromptu english lesson. Hassan's youngest daughter (he has 6 kids altogether) is very keen to learn and we spend an hour practicing before lunch is ready. Vegie tajine. It was delicious!
I've visited the Yves Saint Laurent garden and blue house (closed for renovations). Got lost in the souks and had to buy my way out. ha ha! I've had countless glasses of orange juice from the vendors in the square Jamaa el Fna. I make a point of eating dinner at a different place each night including one night with an Australian couple in the open mobile restaurants in the centre square. The best food so far would be at Chez Brahim (lamb tajine) and Cafe de France (Couscous vegetal).
I've dodged donkey carts, motorbikes, cyclists and touts. So many people in one place. The centre of the medina is most active about 9.30 at night. Everywhere music, dancing and snake charmers too.
Marrakech is a great place to use as a base. Many people come here then head to the mountains for a trek or take a few days to ride camels in the desert. The latter is what I chose
to do. Sahara, here I come!
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candour
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marrakech
Hi. Quick Q- there are six of us traveling to Morocco for ten days. And currently we are fighting over Fez Vs Marrakech. Which on would you recommend basis your experience? Also is the city centre called medina ? Is it the same as Djema El Fna square thank you