Blogs from Marrakech, Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz, Morocco, Africa - page 44

The waiting was well worth it. After a few flight delays and a trip northeast to Barcelona before we could fly south, we were there. We finally landed in Africa. Morocco. The northwestern tip of the continent. The airport was small, immigration was packed, and the taxi haggling to "la madina" (city center) had begun. We arrived to the famous Djemaac el-Fna Square and were overwhelmed with what was going on. The place was packed. Women were covered from head to toe peering out at us from behind their veils. Some older women proudly displayed their tattoos on their faces signifying to which tribe they belong. Many men wore their religious robes, too. All sorts of designs and colors. Some had hoods and looked like members of the KKK. People were out and about at 10:30p. ... read more

What do Geri and Allison get when they French kiss monkeys and lick hooves? You guessed it. A cross between Ebola and Hoof Mouth. We have been paying dearly for that night of bestiality with every fluid in our angry little bodies. Not to disappoint you animal fetishts, truth be told, it was probably the cheese sandwich Geri and I shared orrrr, the doorknob to the train bathroom that we licked that caused us to spend 3 straight days in bed, but let's not cast blame. Instead, I'll describe it so you can sympathize with us and be really nice to us when we get back. The scene of the crime: the train. Bathrooms: Turkish prison guards designed them. FOUL. Food cart man: Mean. Hates cute, progressive thinking Canadians such as ourselves. (probably in closet and ... read more

This blog is dedicated to my good friend and college room-mate PT Lam who turned 40 today. Her list of achievements are legendary. (1) Beating Paul at skulling beer (2) Beating Tseung at golf (3) Having the smelliest feet on the planet. Mmm, anyone for salt and vinegar chips? (4) Having the most seductive smile that had all the guys running. Many have tried to imitate it and failed miserably. My woeful attempt is below. Here's to PT, a toast (and roast) to you all the way from Marrakech Morocco. Nothing prepares you for the sights, sounds and smells (phew) of Marrakech. Most activity is centred around the main square of Djemaa el-Fna. The daytime is spent running the gauntlet of snake charmers, henna tattooists, fortune tellers, monkey men (poor monkeys have chains around their necks), ... read more

Though Casablanca didn´t meet the expectations that the film leaves, Marrakech could be a Hollywood set, almost too cliched to really perceive as real. It fit every stereotype that I had ever formed about Morocco, and is a paradise for the classic tourist. I was pleasantly surprised, however, that much of what it offers is every bit as much for the locals as for the visitors. The central square, Djeema al Fna, is distinguishes the city from others. It is on the edge of the labryinthine and expansive souq, and is busy by day but really booms as the sun goes down. At night, the entire square fills up with stalls and tables that function as temporary restaurants. They are tightly packed and the smells and smoke that rise from the grills take over the square. ... read more

Salaam- Ah-lee-koom, Marrakech: Markets, souks and the old medinas, cous-cous and tagines, street performers, leather and crafts vendors... Essouira: beach and a local music & art scene.... Jimmy Hendrix village just a 30 min walk away. Cassablanca: 'casa' & 'blanca' white house. Cassablanca beach and Hassan II mosque. Fes: My favorite place in Morocco... the oldest Medina and the town of ancient wisdom and learning. 13th & 14th August Circumstances outside my control brought me here, Morocco, our new meeting point, and suddenly my new destination. I'm early, two days ahead of Rose and Kingy, rather than two days behind. It was a bit of an overnight culture shock experience, arriving into Marrakesh from London that is. I'm hiding in this internet cafe, passing time away from the heat of the day, waiting for my courage ... read more

It's funny, you're a long way from home, there's people you don't know all around you and still you see the same people everywhere. I don' only mean that everyone look alike, one traveller the same as the next, no - the same people. It started in Albufeira where we made notice of a familly looking gypsy, speaking perfect english waiting for the same train as us. Later we also saw them on the bus to Sevilla. They then stepped into the same McDonald's at night in Sevilla, that may not be so odd since there weren't that many places open. Next time we saw them was not as obvious, a restaurant in Tanger that we had selected randomly just walking around, and not in the immedient city centre either. We've also been seeing two german ... read more