Marrakech buying blow

__________________________

📍 Verified store!

📍 Guarantees! Quality! Reviews!

__________________________

▼▼ ▼▼ ▼▼ ▼▼ ▼▼ ▼▼ ▼▼

▲▲ ▲▲ ▲▲ ▲▲ ▲▲ ▲▲ ▲▲

Marrakech buying blow

Stepping into the street of the Medina Old City , from our tranquil guest house with its traditional courtyard, open-roof top and old fashioned doors and locks, was like stepping into a world not to far removed from the images of Asia and Africa depicted by 19th century European Orientalist travelogues and art works. The streets of the overcrowded old town were narrow and poverty stricken, but were not lacking in character, as well as, warm and friendly locals. Some European visitors speak of suffering from 'cultural shock' when they first encounter the streets of Marrakech, and so they adopt an aggressive posture and look like something out of Joseph Conrad's novel, Heart of Darkness, looking for brutes to exterminate. Others fall in love with the place and try to immerse themselves fully in the sights, sounds and smells of the Medina. The name Marrakech is believed to derive from an old Berber word and means, 'Land of God', and was founded in the 11th century, at its height it boasted great libraries, centres of learning and important intellectuals, scientists and scholars such as Averroes Ibn Rushd , who is widely credited as the father of secular thought in the West. Today, these libraries and centres of learning have largely disappeared and only the large and splendid, Koutoubia Mosque, stands as testament of what use to be with its name roughly translating as, 'The Mosque of the Booksellers. For tourists seeking the darker side of Marrakech tourist life, prostitution and drugs are readily available to them; all of this gives tourism in Marrakech a colonial feel to it. The Medina is much like cities in the medieval world; it's surrounded by walls and large gates, outside these walls lies the new city with its large and spacious streets, big buildings, shopping malls, nightclubs, bars and restaurants- there's a huge disconnect between the two places- they may as well belong to different worlds, let alone different cities. This discontinuity between new and old city is fairly common across the Arab region and not unique to Morocco. But Morocco does have its unique character, which causes political and cultural confusion for people who seek to place Morocco in a generalised category. Is Morocco Arab or African? Can it be both? A large percentage of Moroccans are non-Arab Berbers, where would they fit into an Arab country? Most non-Moroccan Arabs claim that they cannot understand Moroccan Arabic, because of its mixture of Berber, Spanish and French influences. But then it begs the question, why do we need to categorizes the place? I remember standing outside Al-Bahia Palace waiting to enter- there where many tour groups from around the world also waiting to enter. One group that caught my attention was a group from Israel. The tour group leader spoke loudly and proudly in Hebrew and members of the group had no problem with openly interacting with locals. Such a scene seems unimaginable elsewhere. But in many respects that what life in Marrakech is, unimaginable elsewhere. Pace of life is much slower, despite the mountains of people and mopeds that throng the streets of the Medina, giving the impression that everyone is in a hurry. Despite the well defined tourist path that exists in Marrakech, the place does offer the chance to escape that path, but central to this is to get to know Moroccans beyond a buyer-seller relationship. They are truly an incredible, hospitable and friendly people who know how to respect guests- but above all else they are human beings- who seek to make friends and socialise with different people. I always think the purpose of travelling is not to be a tourist, but to connect with other human being who lives in different circumstances and in different cultures. Its only when two cultures meet, that we can find real humanity. What's Hot. Main Menu U. Daily Horoscopes. Cost of Living. Follow us. Terms Privacy Policy. Part of HuffPost Lifestyle. All rights reserved. Go To Homepage. Suggest a correction. Submit a tip.

Desperately Seeking Marrakech

Marrakech buying blow

The only way to navigate the dazzling array of souks, tiny boutiques, artisan workshops and designer showrooms is to plunge in. Inside the medina the fortified old city , everything you come across is either exceptionally beautiful or exceptionally curious — the saffron yellow leather slippers and hooded robes worn by the local men; the myriad beautiful patterns in the tiles that cover just about every surface; the filigree metal lamps that light up the dark; even the gold-embroidered velvet covers that are placed over the clay pot tagines to keep the food warm. The famous souks of the city conjure up images of sinister labyrinths full of over-priced knock-offs and persistent touters. In recent years there has been a concerted government crack down on such behaviour. If you want to engage genuinely with sellers many are extremely hospitable. What you will find overwhelming is the artistic beauty of what is on offer, from raffia shoes to enormous perforated lamps that reflect pinpoints like stars across the ceilings. In this city of around one million people, sixty percent of the working population is occupied as an artisan of some sort, so the standard of manufacture of lamps, leather goods, clothing, pottery and so on, is very high, and aesthetically pleasing. Check that an item is locally made — in many cases you can buy directly from the foundry or shoemaker. Stop at any herboriste selling spices and medicinal herbs and leave with packets of amber, essential oils, ras el hanout a spice mix and cute little terracotta bowls of red pigment, which, when moistened, Moroccan women use on their lips and cheeks. The number of shops selling filigree metal lamps in the souks can become completely overwhelming. We found everything we desired in this wonderful, glittering shop, that occupies several levels go up to the roof for a great view of the medina — and they ship internationally. Prices are a little more expensive than elsewhere but the quality is superb — and they will make to order. Martine Hillen is a local leathergoods designer who makes gorgeous, stylish bags and carryalls in great colours from the butteriest leather imaginable. You can visit the showroom and order hooded towelling robes, sheets and other linens, hand-decorated with blanket stitch or any insignia to suit. Great value. Marrakech is a city lit by candles at night and this upscale local candle-maker sells candles in a great range of colours and sizes — and fragrances. I Sidi Ghanem;. Everyone will have his or her favourite hammam but I found this renowned bathhouse , which has recently been beautifully redecorated, a mind-blowing experience. I opted for a steam in a private white marble room, followed by a vigorous scrub and massage. Over the course of three hours, I was coddled into blessed-out oblivion. There are sticky pastries and mint tea after every step in the treatment and a lovely relaxation room where one reclines on gold leather chaises under an atrium filled with birds. In summer dine in the courtyard; in winter by an open fire. Undoubtedly one of the most romantic restaurants in the world. You need to go once. At the other end of the culinary scale is this phenomenally cheap restaurant in the new town. Meats are on display outside in a refrigerated cabinet: you order your cut by weight. This former marriage hall has been reinvented as a sexy bar and restaurant, serving cocktails with names like Moroccan Love Potion alongside modern takes on traditional dishes. Rue Imam Abou Hanifa, Hivernage; 0 5 24 42 12 In the early 20 th Century, painter Jacques Majorelle created a beautiful garden, full of dramatic, curious plants, in this upscale neighbourhood in the city. A museum of Berber culture was opened on the property in The garden may be overrun with tourists at certain times of the day, but despite the crowds, one can still find quiet paths. Open daily. Rue Yves Saint Laurent; www. Visit By Prior Arrangement for tailor-made and small group tours. La Mamounia. Where else? The hotel, built in grand Moorish style, with art deco touches, dates back to But the eight acres of garden were established in the back in the 18 th Century when the Moroccan king gave his son Mamoun a house and garden upon his marriage. The best rooms in the hotel look over the magnificent walled garden with its established fruit trees, ancient olive trees, rose beds and spectacular cactus plants. The sounds of the muezzin rise up from the city mosques at prayer time, filling the air with song. Thank you for your enquiry, David. If any readers care to know more, please email mrs mrandmrsamos. Your email address will not be published. Your Comments. Lee, you make it sound so deliciously irresistible. Love the shopping tips. Would appreciate information on your next trip to Marrakech. Thank you. Subscribe to comment Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Advertise Index.

Marrakech buying blow