Marrakech

One massive junk shop is about the best description I can give of Marrakech’s old town. Everything you never knew you needed can be purchased here. A little away from the centre you get the real shops, with huge sides of meat on hooks and rows of vegetables, second hand TV’s and dusty cookers. Marakech souk is much bigger than any other that I have been to, easy to get lost, which we did it numerous times. Anyone who has been to Marrakech will mention that the moped/scooters are everywhere. Pushing through the tiny lanes, you are fighting people and bikes constantly, many of the bikes pull up to shop fronts and complete their purchase from the saddle. Although many of the bikes are heavy ladened 4 being the most people I saw on a moped, the record (as seen by my eyes ) still goes to India. I didn’t like the monkeys on chains and the snakes being “charmed” held down by bricks. I found the hawkers OK in Marrakech, they accept no which makes it a lot easier than some countries I have been to. Our hotel was in the modern part of town, a little further to the old town than I would have liked, but still walking distance. In this modern part it would be easy to think you were in any city, all the names you know and love line the streets in glass fronted modern buildings selling all the clothes you would expect. Morocco, or at least Marrakech is wealthier than I expected, and although lots of disabled beggars line the streets it wasn’t as bad as I expected, most of them had wheelchairs! We had a few lazy days by the pool, the pool keeper looks after you well, particularly if you grease his palm. It’s one thing about tipping, the money passes from palm to palm in an almost secret hand shake and things then happen! In between laying by the pool we did two day trips, one to Ouzoud Waterfalls and the other to Ourika Valley Waterfalls. Both had a longish drive, both included walking up and down steep valley sides to view water splashing from a height,both had stunning views.. Both included eating food in pleasant surroundings, the second one was particularly nice, sat on cushions next to the river, with feet straying from under the table to cool off in the stream at regular intervals. Unfortunately one had the mandatory shop trip , 30 min sales pitch on cosmetics, neither John nor I really use cosmetics. We also got a tour of a Berber house and did the Bahia palace. We were there over Ramadan and enjoyed a massive blow out Ramadan meal one night at a restaurant, way too much food, but an amazing amount of co-ordination to get everyone served as soon as the sun was down. I find it hard to believe that these people work all day in 30+ degrees and don’t drink. Monday was Eid and the streets were alive with people wearing the best and new clothes. Lots of people looked very smart, some had even ironed the folds out of their new clothes. We couldn’t find any particular “party” just lots of people perambulating. When Eid over, so was our week in the sun.