Marrakech

Part 2 - read Adventures first.

After waking up in our riad at Fes we decided not to stick around for long because we had to train all the way to Marrakech and didn't want a repeat of the previous night's experience.  Highlights of the second train trip included finishing a 450 page book, meeting a young Moroccan guy that we spoke in German to and enjoying hours of seeing the beautiful countryside.  8 hours later we were there. 

In Morocco, riads are the traditional guesthouses (think bed and breakfast but better).  In Marrakech we stayed in the most beautiful place, only 8 rooms, all open air, a green tiled pool, big rooftop deck with chairs and couches, etc.  All for a low price of €60/night.  The hospitality is fabulous!

The traveling part of our trip was done and we had all of Wednesday and Thursday to relax which we definitely did; sleeping in, lounging around the riad roof and pool and playing French board games.  Scrabble is interesting because most of the pieces are E's and A's and Monopoly is interesting because the Chance and Community Chest cards are in French but once you figure out the word for 'pay €' vs. 'receive €' that is all you need to know. 

The main square/market in Marrakech is so ridiculous that when you are out and about things are ON!  Then going back to the riad is a calming other world and you can't believe you are only a couple blocks away from the maddness. 

I've never been in a Muslim country before and hearing the blaring megaphones from mosques all over the city with the call to prayer 5 times a day was really cool.  It echoes everywhere is enchanting/eerie. 

The main square market is filled with big carts selling fresh squeezed orange juice and others selling dates/nuts/dried apricots.  Repeat.  Then at night, tents go up and the whole center of square turns into make-shift restaurants back-to-back.  Each one has a grill, a huge cart displaying piles of meat and other food, and long tables and benches.  Local men stand next to each one very proactively trying to get people to come sit at theirs.  The guys are hilarious.  Remember "stall 1-1-7 takes you to heaven".  That got us to sit down.  The food is basically the same menu everywhere.  You start with a round loaf of bread and dipping sauce, then skewers of lamb, beef or chicken and I also ate a lot of couscous and fries.  Yummy.  No food poisoning but my stomach hurt all weekend after Friday so maybe a little. 

The people are friendly and really nice, but there are people that are looking to make as much money as they can from the tourists.  There is one part of the square where there are real snake charms (freaky!) and people dancing around clapping things in your face and then asking for money.  With my demeanor I didn't do so well with this part of the square and tried to avoid it!  Funny story: on our last night doing our last lap of the square, a local woman was trying to get  me to buy a henna drawing on my hand and she actually grabbed my hand when I said "Non Merci" she wouldn't let go!  She wouldn't let go as I was trying to rip my hand away and I was left with a long drizzle of chunky henna ink across my hand.  I was pooped on!  It was quite hilarious and would only happen to me.  :) 

Loved Marrakech and visiting the palace ruins covered in colorful tiles.  Once we have our pictures (Jim stayed in Morocco longer until tomorrow and has the camera) this will all make more sense and due it justice. 

Other highlight:  Renting a moped and zipping through the alleys and streets!