Marrakech

=MARRAKECH=


 * Well, we finally made it to Marrakech (and I can tell you, it wasn’t any express – old CS&N song for those young ‘uns). Before boarding the public bus we spent the morning wandering the souks of Essaouira and making a few purchases – I succumbed and eventually bought Gail a “special” ring plus a few other things (obviously still not well eh?). We both really liked this place – easy to navigate and few hassles from the hawkers etc plus the sea air and breeze (its called “the windy city” in Morocco) – it’s a neat place!

The bus ride to Marrakech was “exciting” especially as we got into the outskirts of the city. How no-one (buses, cars, motor bikes, bicycles, donkey carts, pedestrians) got hit amazed us – we were all “oohing” and “aahing” and “oh no-ing” in the bus but the driver (and everyone else on or near the roadway) seemed oblivious to the possibility of massive carnage taking place! || || Unfortunately, as our guide put it, the accommodation we had was not the usual Intrepid style – we all looked around at what was obviously a 4 star hotel (pool, café, bar etc) and agreed that we’d all try and do the best we could! Comfy beds, soft pillows, showers and toilets that work! Luxury!!! That night we squeezed into a couple of taxis (licensed to carry 6 – very cosy indeed) and headed for the Place Djemaa el-Fna (or La Place) – a huge plaza in the centre of the city filled with 1000’s of people – there are numerous food tents surrounding the square with all of them trying to drag you into theirs. Fortuanately or guide, Will, had “booked” one and we brushed off all the suitors and sat ourselves in Number 42 to be served a great feast. In the middle of the square there were numerous drumming groups, storytellers, snake charmers, dancers, boxers (????), acrobats etc etc all surrounded by a circling crowd. We spend some time wandering but got pretty annoyed when we realized that within 10-20 seconds of pausing just to see what was going on, one of the troupe was at you with their hand out. Take a photo? No problem… just pay! It was all a bit much after a while and not very enjoyable – even if you paid to listen they would then hassle you to take a photo and then gain more money etc. Still, well worth a visit – noisy, bustling and very alive! Saturday we spent visiting a few ancient ruins and wandering the souk until lunchtime when we decided that the pool at the hotel might be a nice place to see out the day before dinnertime. The temp was around the high 30’s and, as most of us were pretty tired and over souks (esp with the full-on Marrakech style hassling) and besides, who had any room left in their luggage for more? And so, Sunday arrived and we said “goodbye” to Morocco and “hola” Madrid. I am looking forward to not being addressed as “Ali Baba” by one and all – children, hawkers, doormen, shop keepers, beggars – due, I gather to the distinguished white beard I wear! I did respond to one hawker who was a bit too familiar that “It’s MR Ali Baba to you!” I’m not sure he got the humour in that though.
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