The flight was better primarily due to the lack of crying kids in the front 10 rows of the plane (where Cinthia demands we sit..... as you don't die in the front if the plane crashes, everyone knows that). Landing in Marrakech it was like another world, so different from Europe and the Western world. The people's attire, their look, the trees and buildings, all totally different. The bus ride to the Medina (which is the centre area surrounded by an ancient wall) passed some nice gardens, with the tall Koutoubia Mosque a guide like the Night Star.
After getting off the bus our initial challenge was to find our accomodation, which in a medina is never as easy as it sounds. Tired and hot, we eventually relented and let a local take us to the small street which our hotel was located. Would someone come up with a decent medina map please?
Checking in and lunch then the afternoon was ours to explore the city. Our first meal was indicative of what we would be eating for the next 2 weeks. Couscous and a meat tajine... with freshly squeezed orange juice.
Although there are plenty of guides available, we decided that we would just take our time, get the feel of the city ourselves, and pick some attractions we wanted to see.
Saadiaa's Tombs was the first attraction, and he created a private mausoleum for his closest confidants, and his mother. I don't want to accuse him of being a mummy's boy, however his mothers' tomb was by far the biggest and most colorful of all. The woodwork, and tilework was lovely.
Our next stop, post some circlework to find it, was Badi Palace. This palace was in a fairly rundown state, however was under restoration. The central pools were an interesting feature, as was the outer wall columns, with every one of them having a large stork's nest atop.
Stepping into Marakesh and the Islamic world presented another challenge- finding a beer. Whilst the culture doesn't allow alcohol, the savy tourist can find a bar if a beer is needed, as we felt it was. The temperature had been climbing, and our energy therefore declining.
The few bars that exist are discretely located, several floors up, barely able to be seen from street level. Any economist will tell you that when demand is greater than supply the price will go up, and alcohol here made Coppenhagen look cheap. Our beer drinking stopped at one after we paid 6 Euros for the privilege of a 250ml Heineken.
Dinner was in the busy, bustling main square, where rows of food stalls were set up. when entering, prepare for a salesman barrage on both sides, until you pick a food stall and sit down.
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