Today is our last day in Marrakech. At this time as in most holidays I have a slight feeling if panic – OMG, did we do everything, see everything, experience everything we possibly could have? We didn’t do this, or that, or even that! This holiday is no different. I have regret that we didn’t really step out of our very square box and go to the dessert, but having said that, I am very fatalistic, things happen for a reason, and I am in no position to turn my nose up at fate, and do the opposite! Our time in Marrakech has been enjoyable, and I shall have fond memories of her sites and sounds and the kindness of a few gentle souls.
OK, enough of the mush, back to reality. Yesterday we did a couple of bus tours to get a better lay of the land, I shall add my crappy iPhone shots below, the Canon will come in good time (patience, grasshopper!)
We began our day by walking to the spot where we can find the bus. We are greeted on the street by one of our Ryad servers; he is wearing his ‘celebration best’ and looks quite fetching. He is a man about my age, perhaps a few years younger, with a kind, soft, gentle face. He is SO HAPPY to see us! Have we seen where true Moroccan’s shop? Only the souks, we say. Bah, that’s for tourists, come, come, I’ll show you. We don’t feel threatened or taken. At one point I say to him “you are a great guide” and he responds, taking my hand “no, I am a friend” very touching, and sincerely delivered. He takes us to his favorite Épicier (spice vendor). It’s in the middle of the Jewish area with the synagogue across from it. The guy is young and kind, not pushy. I buy stuff, of course, and he gives us ‘gifts’ a little extra of this, a gift of that. I really enjoyed myself. He was not forceful. I ask us he has Moroccan olive oil, he does, but sadly it is not labelled (probably family made) and I am unsure whether customs would allow it. It has a rich olive taste, unlike any olive oil I’ve tried. It takes a bit to explain why I cannot take it, but he understands and is not insulted. I told him I would cry if customs took it away, which is likely true. We continued on a little tour with our new friend, and then he leaves us with a pleasant goodbye. We bump into him later in the day, meeting on the streets of the medina like old friends. THIS IS MY MOROCCO!
We continue to the bus tour and enjoy the scenes.
Modern Marrakech outside the Medina
The camels with the Date Palm gardens (did you know dates grew on Palm trees?)
The tallest minaret at the Koutoubia Mosque
Lunch in a contemporary French restaurant of Niçoisse Salad and Vino (come to momma!)
It’s too bad about the olive oil – I wonder if you couldn’t have bought a bottle of cheaper stuff, poured it out (wasteful I know :() and topped it up with the home-made stuff and then just screwed and taped the top on or something. Still – maybe not worth the hassle if customs end up robbing it – then you’d be down two bottles of olive oil instead of just one extra special one 😦
You looked like you were having a grand old time with that glass of wine there Eva 🙂
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Hi Charles, I thought about it. But the one I ended up with from the grocery store was properly labelled and the same brand that Maison MK’s chef in the 2nd cooking class used. The wine was a nice treat for lunch; there weren’t many lunch places in the Medina that offered wine for lunch.
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It looks like you’re having the most incredible time.
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It’s a really different holiday for us, Charlie-Louie.
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Now this sounds like it made up for that other day. What fun! Your guide sounds amazing and I’m glad you found some good (non-pushy) shopping. 🙂 I’m wanting a vacation now too.
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It’s been an amazing experience, Kristy. Better than I imagined!
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Your exotic trip just makes me pout even more as I look out at the grey, wet, damp and depressing late fall day in south-western Ontario. 😦 And, I love spices so I’d be shopping for hours. I’m sure there were pastry/coffee/sweets places everywhere as well. I would never want to leave.
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Hi Maria, the Moroccans do love their sweets; I was often stared at incredulously when I didn’t put sugar in my coffee! The spice markets were like no other I’ve ever seen.
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What a great trip! I’m glad you’re having so much fun!
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Thanks Ann. It’s always nice to come home!
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You sure seemed to make the most of your time. We’ll think of you in NOLA this weekend!
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Happy birthday to Katherine! Hope you have an amazing time. Don’t forget about the historical society walking tours! Eat, drink and be merry!
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I didn’t know that about dates and palms. I wish I could have tasted that olive oil. Love your adventures!
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The olive oil is so different than what we normally have! I can hardly wait to get into our bottle!
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Last weekend I “discovered” a spice shop near here and spent an hour browsing its shelves. And it was just a small shop! You would have had to drag me out of the spice market. So glad your last day was such a memorable one. Have a safe trip home!
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You’ll have to let me know where in the windy city you found the spice shop John. We’ll likely be down in the next few months! There was an amazing little olive oil / balsamic shop (right beside the French shop – might be called Posh, not sure, great little antique-y French things) but they closed down. I need another go to shop in Chicago!
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To be able to go to a real market with a local guide (and feel like a local) and to see all the treasures there…plus buy spices…that seems like a great last day in Marrakech to me!
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It’s been a real experience!
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I have always dreamed of visiting a proper spice market, sigh…
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It is an experience, for sure. The smells and sounds are incredible!
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