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Published: February 8th 2008
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Shock horror, we looked out of the window this morning and the sky had clouds in it. We even had the patio heater on for our breakfast in the courtyard.
There were two things we wanted to do today; I wanted to see another palace and Rob wanted to see some gardens. Because Friday is a Muslim holy day, the opening times were a bit obscure and we found ourselves in the medina with nothing to do. For ages I have wanted a perfume called Hypnotic Poison and we found a shop selling an extremely good copy for 49dh (approx 3.30) so I bought that.
We had another walk around the Souqs and were amused to discover a whole street blocked off by men praying outside a mosque. They were rather solemnly praying in the middle of a huge touristy souq. We would have loved to get a picture but we couldn't be that rude. Most of the pictures that would portray Morocco best would be of people but we can't take their pictures because they really object to it. We have seen a few obnoxious westerners stand right in front of someone and take their picture without asking.
It is so insulting as they treat Moroccans like they aren't humans as well.
We had lunch at a café which is situated in a market square. Stalls sell everything there and are aimed at locals and tourists alike. We sat on the terrace and looked down on the colour and activity and the different characters in the market. It is actually quite amusing to watch how Westerners react when approached by hustlers and it’s also funny to see how they are targeted immediately as they enter the square.
Around two we got to the palace to find that it was still closed and there were people waiting. Luckily for us the patisserie we'd visited previously was just around the corner. We ordered two cakes and sat inside and ate them
Badi Palace belonged to a 16th century sultan which was looted after his death. The ruins are pretty much all that's left, but that's enough for you to picture it intact. Storks have made their nests All along the walls and so you could sit there for hours watching them fly off and return with things for their nests. Rob did actually spend a long time
attempting to get a picture of one of them in flight.
We climbed up onto a terrace and looked out over Marrakech. It is quite interesting to watch other people on their terraces as they seem to be used as an extension of the house rather than a garden etc.
Once we finished in the palace, Rob still wanted to see Jardin Agdal which is supposed to be beautiful but only open on Fridays when the king isn't in residence. He said it was only around the corner but we couldn't find any entrance into it. We kept walking and came to an area with very high walls and armed guards patrolling them. We assumed it was the entrance to the royal palace and walked on. Further along the road there was still high walls either side and more armed guards. We walked for an hour and a half all the time next to high walls and Rob kept on saying it was just the other side of the wall. Needless to say we weren't the best of friends by the end of this walk, but the good thing is that it did eventually end.
We stopped
at this massive reflecting pool which was packed full of the Biggest carp ever. Loads of people were feeding them and they were fighting to get the food. We had brought our bread from breakfast and sat at the edge and fed it to the fish. Some teenage boys were throwing the flat round breads for the fish and they kept on bringing it back to the edge because they were fighting to eat it.
Luckily the walk back wasn't too bad as we knew where we were going, but once we arrived in Djemaa el-fna we just wanted to collapse. We enjoyed yesterday’s meal so we returned to the same place and sat indoors as it was getting cool. The meal was good again and who can argue with a two pound meal that is packed with fresh vegetables?
We are back at the hotel now and completely ready for bed. We bought an English paper so we are just going to relax and read for a bit before bed. Night night. Stob.
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Dad C
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Video / Skype Conference
Liked the video of the fish. I realised that I had not spotted videos before and found the one of the traffic policeman with the whistle and furious arm waving, and then the one with the goats from way back. It was good to get the Skype Conference call which included Richard today (he got broadband installed only yesterday). Amazing to think we connected up Chelmsford, St. Annes and an internet cafe somewhere hear Agadir! Keep looking after each other. Dad C xx