Thursday, May 27, 2010

Sun sets on Marrakech

Warm February nights in Marrakech were the best for evening exploring...we could have stayed for days!

Marrakech BY 0110_173

Marrakech BY 0110_169

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 015

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 011

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 009

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 013

Shopping in the souks

Well, it wasn’t exactly shopping like Carrie and the ladies in Sex and the City 2 but a full day was spent in the Marrakech souks. To say there was sensory overload is putting it mildly as it was a full-on convergence of sights, sounds, smells all at warp speed.

Marrakech HY Group 1 0210 047

Marrakech BY 0110_190

Marrakech HY Group 1 0210 046

Marrakech HY Group 1 0210 049

Marrakech BY 0110_188

Marrakech BY 0110_184

Marrakech BY 0110_211

Marrakech BY 0110_087

Marrakech HY Group 1 0210 050

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 078

Marrakech BY 0110_194

Marrakech HY Group 1 0210 051

The famous mint tea leaves for sale… I’d have to admit the tea was pretty darn good…rivals iced tea in Texas.

Marrakech HY Group 1 0210 029

Various foodstuffs for sale: snail, turtles, oranges, olives, fish, and spices.

Marrakech HY Group 1 0210 035

Marrakech HY Group 1 0210 033

Marrakech HY Group 1 0210 039

Marrakech HY Group 1 0210 030

Marrakech HY Group 1 0210 038

Marrakech BY 0110_086

The alleys were winding, snaking through back alleys and narrow pathways, sometimes no more that one person deep. Part of the fun was the wandering about rather than the end destination.

Marrakech HY Group 1 0210 001

Marrakech BY 0110_185

Donkeys are the main transportation vehicle in the souks.

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 082

Marrakech BY 0110_092

Shopping buddies, literally!

Marrakech HY Group 1 0210 045

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 081

Marrakech BY 0110_094

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 079

Marrakech BY 0110_084

Marrakech BY 0110_189

Fezs anyone?

Marrakech HY Group 1 0210 052

Marrakech HY Group 1 0210 016

Marrakech BY 0110_193

Place Jemaa el-Fna

Place Jemaa el-Fna is the huge square situated next to vast souk market area in Marrakech. Think of it as the town square where people meet friends socially, enjoy a meal out, do a bit of shopping, or as is the case in Marrakech, get your tooth pulled, hand painted with henna, or visit your local snake or monkey charmer.

Yea, Waxahachie town square serves justabout the same purpose and also has its fair share of snake and monkey charmers! Just visit the courthouse - LOL!

Marrakech BY 0110_222

Holly in the Place Jemaa el-Fna.

Marrakech BY 0110_038

Teeth puller, snake charmers, monkey charmers, and henna painters in Place Jemma el-Fna.

Marrakech BY 0110_199

Marrakech BY 0110_176

Marrakech BY 0110_232

Marrakech BY 0110_229

Food stalls in the square.

Marrakech HY Group 1 0210 027

Marrakech BY 0110_230

Marrakech HY Group 1 0210 039

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 011

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 007

Where do you go?

February is notoriously a bad month to travel in Europe when you are not in the market for winter activities. So, the selection of a warm and inviting destination for the Budman's 50th birthday weekend was a bit of dilemma. Where can you get warm weather, sunshine, interesting locale, AND less than 2-3 hours travel time?

Answer: Marrakech, Morocco.

Please humor me as I share some glorious photos from the birthday extravaganza over the next few posts....

First, our lovely riad-style hotel smack dab in the heart of the city.

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 002

Marrakech BY 0110_042

Marrakech BY 0110_175

Our room - youza!

Marrakech BY 0110_017

Marrakech BY 0110_018

Marrakech BY 0110_003

Marrakech BY 0110_015

City view of Marrakech from our hotel balcony.

Marrakech BY 0110_033

Marrakech BY 0110_024

Enjoying a tangine dinner.

Marrakech HY Group 2 0210 026

Come aboard the Marrakech Express as I share our trip with you!