Marrakech - a vibrant city

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If you ever get the opportunity to visit Marrakech then take it up as this is a city that has a special atsmosphere of its own. The streets, the lanes, the noises, the smells and the people seem to combine into an atsmosphere that will stay with you as a memory for many an hour. At the heart of the city is Djemaa El Fna, a vast plaza which in the past has seen many parades and executions (but not recently). In the evening it is transformed into street theatre and street cafes with cooking smells dominating the night air along with the noise of the street artists and vendors. Overlooking the plaza, or square as the locals call it, is the Koutoubia Mosque. This spendid building dominates the skyline for miles around.

Just off the square are the Souks which are a collection of markets selling everything from carpets to lanterns,as well as spices, slippers, leather goods and furniture. The souk is not a place to get lost in the evening as we did on our way back to our riad from the square. The labrinyth of alleys was deserted as all the traders had pulled down the shutters on their lockups and left the area for the night, The exit that we knew was locked and there we were, stranded on our own and having to rely on two young arab boys who insisted on leading us out. We didn't know whether they were genuine or were leading us deeper into the alleys. We had no alternative but to put our trust in them and fortunately they led us back to our riad where they demanded payment. The lesson here is not to go wandering through the souks when they are closing down.

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Photos

The Square
Known as Djemaa El Fna which translated means the "Assembly of the Dead" being the area where there was a public display of heads of rebels and criminals

Koutoubia Mosque
The mosque dominates the skyline in the centre of the city

Colourful carpets in the Souk
The carpets for sale are so tempting but difficult to transport bach home with a Ryan Air allowance

The Olive Souk
Olives of all description for sale in the Souk

Storks nesting in the El Badi Palace
Around the ruins of the once grand El Badi Palace storks nest along the ramparts

Lynne tucking in at the street cafe
In the evening the Square is alive with lots of street cafes and we were more than happy to participate

A visit to the Majorelle Gardens
A wonderful garden designed and created by a French designer and once owned by Yves St Laurent. The garden contains a monument to him

Comments

[Jayne]

It all sounds and looks lovely - another great Birch adventure! Enjoy your last few days. xxxxx