Marrakesh in pictures

-->

John and I in a traditional Berber home having tea

John’s and my trip to Morocco has been an amazing experience so far.  As usual, John had a meeting and unfortunately for him, missed out on two days of excursions around the city of Marrakesh; however, he and I spent our first day exploring, being picked up by a city guide whom we used for the rest of the trip, and also being able to take a trip to the Mid Atlas mountains and the valleys near the city.  We were privileged to be invited into a Berber house in the mountains (I’m sure that all the other people who were brought to the same house felt the same, and that the family benefitted from our “tips”.  We did see the devastation that occurred in the 1990’s when a huge flood killed thousands of persons who lived near the river, and learned that at least three members of this family were swept away. 

River with rocks from floods

Pots for sale everywhere

Beautiful Mid Atlas Valley

Camel Ride Possibilities were everywhere...We said "no"

We thought about Chrissy and Katrina and the ride to the tomb of the Aga Khan back in 1995.  Our guide Rashid said...oh those camels must have been anxious.  Hmmmmm.  Not interested.

Carpets for sale everywhere

I have never seen so many carpet possibilities.  Carpets are in all the taxis, covering wood piles, on all the floors, on the ground even.  Every inch of space can have carpets.  Every single kind of carpet.

Beautiful day for a drive in the mountains

Berber Traditional Bedroom

Flour Making "machine"

Another tea shot

Adorable children playing in the Berber House

Very Cute Bed and Breakfast and gift shop

Every gift you can buy

View of the Alladin B&B from a distance

Herb Garden for all sorts of cures

Hyatt and Trish outside the shop

Hyatt welcoming people to the shop

making the Argon oil for cosmetics and for cooking

In addition to that trip, perhaps another unique part of our Marrakesh trip was being taken to an olive oil factory, the likes of which I simply cannot describe.  OSHA beware.  Let’s hope that our litre of olive oil, which is stored in a dishwashing soap container, is taped strongly enough to withstand the airplane pressure coming home, or our suitcase will be a disaster. 

My favorite shot.  Happy olive oil workers

oops John and Rashid at the Berber house

John and Rashid at the olive oil factory

olive oil heaven in Marrakesh

Olives for oil

Olives for restaurants

But the rest of the Marrakesh trip was pure tourist; the souq’s with all their shops and bargaining and hustling and bustling.  Our guide certainly had his favorite shops, the first of which was a carpet souq and definitely Rashid had John’s number when it came to this.  We must have spent an hour sitting, drinking tea, and finally coming away with a small Berber carpet.  We also went to a “chemist” but did not buy the Argon oil that could cure everything, as the buying of the oil happened when we went to the mountains. 

In The Souq

Monkey in the square

Snake charmer gets client to put snake on neck

Central Square

Old synagogue from 15th century

Old Mosque Al Ben Youssef where moderate Islam is taught

fabulous central souq

John's carpet downfall

Main Minaret and mosque

El Meridien Hotel

Patricia in Gardens

Patricia by the grave of Yves St. Laurent

Royal theatre

Graves in Hebrew Cemetery Stones provide memories...especially of children

 So many more photos of Marrakesh, but here were the highlights. The central square has its charm, the historical sites their beauty.  But, what seems to me most memorable are the very friendly people and their desire to let everyone know that they are peaceful and want to show off a country they love very much.

Central Square