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Published: September 15th 2013
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A spontaneous mini adventure, from early spring weather in the UK, to the warmth of Marrakesh. A kind of welcome committee at the airport with our names on a banner, we walked out into the heat of the afternoon and were shown to our taxi. Our driver talked of his family, his people, Berber farmers from the Atlas mountains, the young man seemed very keen on my travel companion and flirted shamelessly in his french / English, we understood that after their wedding, they would spend 5 days in bed together, the honeymoon.
Hum - moving swiftly on, as we sped across corn covered barren terrain, or scrub-land, that looked more desert-like than the Marrakesh town we were expecting, we passed men on carts led by donkeys, and eventually arrived at a village of seemingly unfinished buildings, children were coming out of school, and the village thriving with activity, we wondered what we were going to find as our hotel, and as we turned a corner, there it was, beautiful ornate and very 'Moroccan' style. It truly lived up to its name, Le Mirage.
A wonderful welcome drink on the terrace, overlooking vast countryside, an empty river bed, we
were told in winter will be flowing, and you could imagine how different the outlook would be. Our room number 101 on the ground floor and near to reception, a beautiful twin room with en-suite, pretty tiles and ranch style wooden doors. Exploring the hotel further, we found a swimming pool with terrace, pool bar and pretty garden area, Spa for those relaxing treatments, a roof terrace with more exceptional views of the countryside, you could watch the sand blowing as the sun set in magnificent shades of orange and red.
Had we been staying longer than a few days, this location could have been a little remote, ideal for a couple maybe, but for two friends looking for fun and adventure, there was no evening entertainment during our stay. This meant we had to negotiate a taxi and pick up times in advance, with the hotel, to go into Marrakesh. Daily shuttles were part of the package, however the times were set and slightly restrictive.
On our first night we jumped in with the manager on his homeward bound journey, it was 9.30pm and we arranged our taxi back for midnight. Excited and unprepared for the buzzing
vibe and colourful displays, not least the mix of food smells and mix of people, the traffic, the music, snake charmers, dancing, music, henna tattooist, fruit stalls and fresh orange juice, the list is endless - an absolute feast for people watching and wandering, not knowing where to look first. Jemaa el-Fnaa - the main square in the medina (old city), it was alive and a complete contrast to our quiet hotel location, in a way, a welcome relief to dip in and come away - as it could overwhelm all senses. A day of travel from the cool UK to a warm culture so different and a feeling of being caught up in a kind of time-warp. It was incredible and so funny to be treated to more flirtations and an attempt to encourage us to the 118 stall at ASDA price.
The taxi ride back in the very dark (no street lighting), and safely back in room 101, we already felt as though we'd been there longer, warm and interesting, so much to observe.
Over the following three days we used that shuttle and taxi service often, dipping in and out of the town, we considered
a horse and chariot ride but decided to take the open top Red Bus around the old and new town with audio commentator, providing us with information on the history. We walked and walked the streets, the beautiful cyber park with colourful Jacaranda trees in full bloom, and lost our way several times in the maze of the Souk, found beautiful roof top terrace cafes, our favourite in 'spice square'. Outside the 19 kilometer city walls of Terracotta (faded red) colour, long Roman style straight streets were lined with orange and lemon trees, full of fruits ready to pick and yet no-one did?
We soon realised that had we been fluent in French, we could have conversed with the locals much easier, and perhaps learned more about the little village where our hotel was situated. From our hotel, quad bike or camel trips were organised, we noticed the camel park as we strolled around the village. Wondering about the windowless houses and doors colourfully painted, with house numbers (for the postman perhaps) and yet the house looked like it'd been demolished at some time, and never quite rebuilt for habitation. We met a young school girl who was keen
to take us to visit her family, after supplying what seemed like the whole population of the village children with one large bag of sweets. Busting to view inside these buildings, wondering what delights were hidden behind the camouflage - there was a sort of two-way curiosity - and we somehow didn't feel comfortable to meander any further.
Breakfasts and evening meals on the terrace, in the open air were bliss, good home cooked type food and selection of breads. Lucky for us, some local wine to celebrate our days of adventure and explorations. Not to mention our beautiful purchases of pretty dishes, baskets, jewellery and pictures. One decision we made, that we just have to re-visit this wonderful place, and make a visit to the villages in the surrounding Atlas mountains...
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Di Lewis
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An interesting and colourful city
It was great to read of your adventures, sounds like a lovely place for a holiday. By the way my cousin Graham (our canal boat driver) read your book while he was here and found it extremely interesting. I will read it soon now the strawbs have finished. Can't wait for the next episode!!! luv Di :) xx