Number one thing to know about Marrakech - it's mental.
Our taxi ride to the riad was the first eye opener, seeing 3 and 4 people all riding along on the same moped, donkeys and carts in the road and no apparent awareness of any kind of highway code..... Cars EVERYWHERE and horns blasting. I wouldn't suggest driving through there.
Our riad was right in the medina (old town) and it was a bit of a shock dragging our luggage to it (the streets there are too small for the big taxi). There are people (men) EVERYWHERE. Mopeds and donkey's whizzing by (if donkey's could whizz).
The next morning was our 1st proper day and we must have looked like walking pound signs. Boggle eyed and lost Every 2 steps you are accosted by people wanting to guide you (for money), take you to their shop (for money), take your picture (for money), begging (for money), sell you weed (hey, you want some good sh*t), or asking where you're from (so they could lure you in and sell you something). Was amazing though. The people are SO interesting. There is a level of poverty there I haven't seen before, and made me re-evaluate a LOT about my own country. They're not soft though, and I reckon they make a killing off the wide-eyed new tourists!!!!
I'm not going to go into too much, because I am too lazy but basically it was an experience, I got a shock (literally.. off a plug), got dehli belly and spent a day in bed (still not right in the gut department...), went in a hammam (traditional spa) - THAT was an experience not for the body concious - in nothing but my pants while a local lady rubs the traditional black soap all over you... and went into the mountains in the snow and rain
If I did it again I would definitely take more time, hire a car and travel round more. I loved the mountains, and wanted to see more little villages and things, but we didn't have the time.
Anyway, some pics!
The airport
Inside the riad on the 1st night
Spot the bike....
Our 1st mint tea... I don't drink hot drinks, but YUMMMMMY
Dude with a spiky guitar
Hoss
Our taxi ride to the riad was the first eye opener, seeing 3 and 4 people all riding along on the same moped, donkeys and carts in the road and no apparent awareness of any kind of highway code..... Cars EVERYWHERE and horns blasting. I wouldn't suggest driving through there.
Our riad was right in the medina (old town) and it was a bit of a shock dragging our luggage to it (the streets there are too small for the big taxi). There are people (men) EVERYWHERE. Mopeds and donkey's whizzing by (if donkey's could whizz).
The next morning was our 1st proper day and we must have looked like walking pound signs. Boggle eyed and lost Every 2 steps you are accosted by people wanting to guide you (for money), take you to their shop (for money), take your picture (for money), begging (for money), sell you weed (hey, you want some good sh*t), or asking where you're from (so they could lure you in and sell you something). Was amazing though. The people are SO interesting. There is a level of poverty there I haven't seen before, and made me re-evaluate a LOT about my own country. They're not soft though, and I reckon they make a killing off the wide-eyed new tourists!!!!
I'm not going to go into too much, because I am too lazy but basically it was an experience, I got a shock (literally.. off a plug), got dehli belly and spent a day in bed (still not right in the gut department...), went in a hammam (traditional spa) - THAT was an experience not for the body concious - in nothing but my pants while a local lady rubs the traditional black soap all over you... and went into the mountains in the snow and rain
If I did it again I would definitely take more time, hire a car and travel round more. I loved the mountains, and wanted to see more little villages and things, but we didn't have the time.
Anyway, some pics!
The airport
Inside the riad on the 1st night
Spot the bike....
Our 1st mint tea... I don't drink hot drinks, but YUMMMMMY
Dude with a spiky guitar
Hoss
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