We went to Marrakesh in the month of July and there were very few tourists until we traveled to the beach area of Morocco. We found a nice house that had been owned by a Swiss gentleman and had its own two caretakers who helped us with anything that we needed.
We stayed in the house for about five days. We would get up in the morning and after breakfast we would head straight to the Souks (markets), which are the main features in Moroccan life. When we entered it was filled with so much color from all the different spices, clothing, accessories, and carpets. There were times where you will get lost in the Souks because of how it’s laid out but don’t panic all you have to do is ask a child to assist in leading you back and giving them a little money, enough for them to run to the store for a candy bar.
Before I traveled to Marrakesh, a friend of mine advised my sister and I to wear rings on our wedding finger to ensure we aren’t harassed. One day, while we were there I forgot to put my ring on and men kept coming up to me for my hand in marriage. During the hours of 12-3, when the sun is the highest all the stalls close and go back home until it is cooler enough. During those hours we would also head to are living quarters because the sun was so draining and would eat some lunch, relax or take a nap. Soaking our feet in the small waterfall and pool was also cooling.
At night we would go to the center square of the Souk, known as the Dejemma El- Fna, which is one of the top places in Morocco to visit in any tourist book. By day the square was filled with snake charmers and people with monkeys. As the day progresses the entertainment changes, the snake charmers depart and out comes storytellers and magicians and the Dejemma becomes more crowded with people than in the day.
We stayed in Marrakesh for three days before we rented a car and traveled to Essaouira, which is where the beaches and many tourist tend to visit. Essaouira is known as the “Wind City of Africa” and although the beach area attracts many people to visit it is nearly impossible to go and relax on the beach because of the wind. However, along the beach one can watch as the fisherman cast their nets and traders trying to sell goods to tourist or have a ride on a camel. Though we stayed at Eassaouria for the night it was nice to have a little break from the heat in Marrakesh.
The traditional dish was a Tajine, which is named after the earthenware pot on which the vegetables and meat are cooked in. Marrakesh was not my favorite place to visit but I still loved the market and brought back a lot of interesting things. Also, you will get a lot of good pictures because of the mass of color.
The next day we traveled back to Marrakesh and stopped in some local towns along the way. On our last day we got our last minute gifts and trophies before we had to go back to the house and had to pack up for our flight the next morning.
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