Sights, Sounds and Smells of Marrakech
After a 32 hour trip (including two 6 hour delays…don’t get me started on baggage transit efficiency), we made it to Marrakech! The sales tactics are different than the Souk in Jerusalem. It’s gone from “you will be my first sale of the day; you will bring me good luck” to “no Madame, it is closed that way, you must come this way”. One such diversion led us to a small, 15-family tannery cooperative. They kindly gave us a “Berber gas mask” which is a fistful of fresh mint… Fascinating process, all manual and all natural; who knew there was a market for pigeon poo! Missed opportunity at Granville Island. Oh and Adam is doing a great job making new friends!
Now what does Father Christmas have in his bag for Alex?
I’ve tried for years to get him to wear a scarf!
I think granddaddy may not be happy with my treatment of baby.
Midday sun behind Koutoubia Mosque.
Kind of like jumping out of a birthday cake...
Shoes, glorious shoes!
Ain’t no flies on us!
Adam made a new friend today!
The Medina
Line up at the fish shop.
Moroccan rainbow.
Mood lighting
Le Jardin Secret...not so secret anymore!
At least they are honest with their customers.
Photobomb at the Jardin Secret.
Wish we could buy them all!
The rooms of the Grand Vizier of the Sultan’s 24 concubines in the Bahia Palace (named for his favourite wife, who clearly had a separate space).
Not quite the Sultan yet...but give him time.
Inside the Museum of Moroccan Art and Handicrafts, housed in the architecturally-stunning home of Si Said. An amazing collection of the culturally all-important Berber and Arab carpets.
Pointy shoes!
The jemma el fna transforms at night from acrobats and snake charmers to a hundred food stalls. Thanks to Alex’s friend Zaiq for the recommendation:”117 takes you to heaven!”
Old Town to New Town and the Perfect Blue
Today was spent exploring sharp contrasts in Marrakech. A leisurely walk took us from the Médina (Old Town) to the Guéliz (the New Town) and the Majorelle Gardens. A French painter, Jacques Majorelle, bought the huge palm grove in 1923 and designed the gardens around his studio which he painted in Majorelle Blue. After he died, it was abandoned and slated for demolition until Yves-Saint-Laurent saved the day by buying and renovating the gardens to what we see today. A quiet oasis in the hustle and bustle of the city with stunning colours and unbeatable style.
Shoe parts in the Médina.
A giant leap from the traditional Médina stalls but still in the Médina. Max & Jan is a lifestyle store; a modern riff on traditional clothes, accessories and furniture. Very cool space. We even went back for dinner on the roof!
Now here’s a unique Christmas tree...
The colours of the Majorelle gardens.
Majorelle blue.
Completed shoes...YSL style!
Couldn’t resist another carpet shot...
School pick up time.
Rooftop dinner at Max & Jan.
Goodnight!
Ouzoud Falls
In light of the incident near Imlil in the Atlas Mountains, we abruptly changed our plans to visit that area and went to the Ouzoud Falls instead. 110m waterfalls (highest in North Africa, 2nd highest in all of Africa after Victoria Falls). And the cutest local monkeys. Abdelwahim was an amazing guide!
Fresh taken to a whole new level.
Vertical rainbow at the Falls.
Sibling love
The Berber flag, symbolizing freedom, the central line uniting tribes.
Ouzoud’s version of Niagara’s “Maid of the Mist”
He had some trouble steering...almost soaked us all and crashed into the other boat!
Family!
Donkey negotiating the steps
Monkey negotiating the Lorants
