Friday, June 13, 2008

Souk De Soleil Finished!

To describe Morocco to people who havent experienced it is difficult. Its the case because its incomparable to our experience.
We dont have souks with merchants who will try everything to get you into their shop. One even went so far as to threaten me with messing up my henna, he got a pleasant GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY WAY! 
We have road rules, I am sure Marrakesh does technically, but in reality its every man for themselves. I kept saying Inshaallah, because well there was no better phrase. 
The every man for themselves translates to shopping and haggling, they only care for themselves and will rip you off constantly. I sound bitter, because I am. Only ONE honest person was to be encountered by me. ONE. He chased me down after I gave him too much money. 
We dont have donkeys pulling carts of food; and there are people who pull the carts themselves.They pull carts of food and modern Western things. But keep it old school. 
People here dress Western; wearing designer knockoffs but they try to keep their own culture as well. 

This may not be my favourite place but if any place has given me some perspective it is this place. No one can come here and not be affected. 
But honestly some of the buildings and sites were wonderful. 

- Palais Badii (The ruins are from 12th century I think) 
- Jardins Majorelle (Yves St Laurent is buried there, he owned it)
- Palais Bahia 
- Menara Jardins 
- Koutoubia Jardins (Moroccans love their gardens) 
- Musee de Marrakesh (There isnt much in the way of artifacts but the building is spectacular)
- Qouba de Ben Youssef (from the 11th century)
- Medersa Ben Youssef (a Koranic school) 
- Saadian Tombs 

I didn´t do as much as other places for it was hot by 2pm and I couldn´t take the heat and needed a nap. On Friday it was 40C..... at least it was dry. 

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