A Bit of Marrakech
Okay, I’ve not been great about updating my blog with with actual info about Marrakech or much of what I’ve been up to here…so since it’s about 100 degrees out this afternoon, with the sunniest sun one could imagine…I’ve taken to hiding in an airconditioned internet cafe for awhile…here goes…
(An archway in the Royal Palace)
-more-
I am a self professed dork at times…so I’ll admit, my second day here I ran out to get a henna tattoo. My first morning I met a lady in the market who did henna and spoke perfect english. I promised her I would come back after getting some rest…so I went to find her the next day. I heard her call ‘Hey honey…’ and went to take a seat in the shade with her.
She said she thought I’d appreciate a more traditional design then the usual flowers they do for the tourists, and I agreed. She went to work and this is what I ended up with…
Notice the lovely orange nails…which still are orange, though the tattoo has disappered mostly, except on the palm of my hand.
I’ve spent a lot of time wandering the souks (markets) too. I honestly want one of almost everything I see…they can keep the weird stuffed dead animals that make me jump whenever I turn a corner. There’s gorgeous silver jewlery, locally tanned leather, perfumes, spices, hand-made sandals, textiles of every imaginable color, magic potions, lamps, tea sets, ottomans and more… Getting lost in the souks is tons of fun…even with the persistent cat calls of the hawkers selling their wares. (I can only deny knowing so many languages…Arabic, French, Spanish, English, Italian…I sometimes pretend I only speak Russian.)
(In the souk)
So far I haven’t gotten anything too big…but I’m dying to buy one of these lamps…
One of my other favorite things is the multitude of little animals… Many stores in the souk have cages of turtles, camelions and iguanas. I love the camelions, with their clawed hands, rotating eyes and their wind-up-toy walk.
But…I fell in love with a little turtle named Lulu! I was walking past a stall and saw a tiny turtle on top of one of the cages, just hanging out. The shop owner was very sweet, and appreciated how much I loved the little creature and didn’t try to sell me anything…even when I went back the second time…or the third!
(Lulu!)
Another interesting spot in Marrakech are the grounds of the Royal Palace and gardens. They go on for miles, literally. I’ve strolled through different parts of them over the course of several days. They are most beautiful al sunset, when the light illuminates the red stone work, making the walls glow pink.
(Evening in the garden)
THE landmark of the city though is the Koutoubia Mosque!
It was built over the course of many years, starting in 1147m to mark the victory of the sultan Adb el-Moumen over the Almoravids, the warrior monks who founded the city. The sultan set out to build the largest mosque in the western muslim world. The prayer hall can accomadate 20,000 people!
The minaret is over 230 feet tall, by far the tallest building in the city, so it can be seen for miles.
(The minaret at night)
It is a beautiful building by any measure…and the minaret certainly helps in navigating!
(The minaret towering over the crowds in Plaza Djemma el-Fna)
I’ve completely fallen in love with this city. At times it gets a little crazy, my Western face attracting too much attention, but even then it’s okay…so I get cat-called by men, or musicians come directly to me to ask for change…it could be worse.
The city is a gorgeus pink-walled wonderland of hustle and bustle, that at times makes New York seem tame! The people smile more often then not. There’s always music to listen to…and spectacles to see. (Gotta post the pictures of me with monkeys and their handlers…and snakes and their charmers!)
Still…I must move on soon. I’m going to make my way to Essouira, a beach town in Morrocco, then to Fes for a couple days…then Sevilla and Toldeo on my way to Madrid. I’ve purchased my ticket from Madrid to the UK…Liverpool, because it was SO much cheaper then flying directly to Scotland. It leaves the 23rd…today is the 1st. I’ve gotta get a move on…
Tags: Morocco
LizG