A taste of...

After a couple of days here we are still simmultaneously overwhelmed and seduced by Marrakech's intensity. We have visited ruins of the el Badi and Bahia Palaces. They are so incredible one cannot begin to imagine what they looked like in their hey day. Inside the ruins are gardens with fountains that no longer work, massive courtyards and pavillions and of course, the Moroccan mosaics and woodwork that are becoming so familiar to us. On top of the ruins are perched several giant storks guarding their nests. Apparently storks are a sign of good luck in Morocco and it is not unusual to see them perched on top of minarets, ruins, or other places that have a relatively high elevation (see the movie below of an especially protective stork at El Badi Palace). Both ruins make for a dramatic setting and tell of a different side of Marrakech - one of tremendous splendour that is difficult to imagine given the standard of living that we have seen in the Medina.


Storks in El Badi Palace


El Badi Palace


Courtyard in Bahia Palace


We also visited the Jewish cemetary where apparently Jews from all over the world come to visit the graves of loved ones. The cemetary is frequented by many tourists as well. "Madame Bill Clinton" as she was called by our tour guide was there last year. We observed many smaller tombs there which were apparently the tombs of children who died from typhoid fever before Morocco had the facilities to provide proper water to the country.


Entrance to the Miaara Jewish Cemetary, which was founded in 1537.


Interior of the Miaara Jewish Cemetary

Lastly, we visited the Saadian tombs which are spectacular mausoleums decorated in Moroccan woodwork and mosaics some of which date back to the mid 1500's and house the tombs of some of Moroccos Saadian princes. The garden where the tombs are located is quiet and peaceful and we wondered around for a while to escape the bustle of the souks and narrow winding streets...


Saadian Tombs

By nighttime we were back again in the Djemaa el Fna (main square) to see the action and to have a delicious dinner for a grand total of $15. You cannot help but get caught up in the electric, carnivalesque atmosphere of this square that, at night becomes filled with snake charmers, dancers, colorfully dressed water vendors, monkey trainers, women painting henna on hands of tourists...the list goes on.

During dinner we observed the wide selection of foods - kebabs, couscous and tagine along with the less familiar snails and roasted sheep's head. We took pictures with the guys working in the stall where we ate and chatted with them for a bit. One of them has a brother living in Alaska (a pretty cold place for someone from Marrakech) and was very excited that Nick was also from the USA. We had a meal of pastilla, brochettes and roasted veggies. Pastilla has become Danielle's new obsession - its a chicken pie made with fillo dough and topped with cinnamon, nuts and confectioner's sugar - strange but amazing. Walking away from the square after the meal we could see the smoke from the grill and the festive lights floating in the air the Djemaa el Fna. It was hard to leave, but we were exhausted after a very long, hot busy day


Dinner in Djemaa el Fna

Tomorrow we leave for Rabat and from there 3 days in Fez!