Posts Tagged "Marrakech"
The Kasbah Door
When you marry someone from another culture there are somethings you have a hard time picturing. Childhood is one example. It’s safe to say that if I had married someone from say New York, our childhoods would have been pretty similar. Sure there would have been small differences but we probably watched the same TV shows, ate similar foods, went on similar vacations, played some of the same childhood games. But, when you marry someone who grew up in another country those experiences are different.
Surprisingly we did watch some of the same cartoons but not much else bore any resemblance. During our last visit (without our children) we visited a lot of locations around Marrakech that tourists probably would never go. But we went because it was part of the city MarocBaba remembered. We ate breakfast at a street vendor that he frequented in his teenage years, we took a motorcycle tour around the back streets of the medina, and we visited the city that held memories for us together. But my favorite story of the entire vacation was when we found this door.
We were visiting the Badi Palace, somewhere I had never gone. It was nearly deserted and as we explored the ruins and ramparts we came to a long dirt road. MarocBaba started to walk down to what I thought was simply a dead end. But at the end of the corridor we found these doors. To me they felt like the kind of doors you would see in a movie, the heavy doors that are pulled closed in times of trouble. To him it was a passage to his youth.
The kasbah was a part of the city that served as housing to those who worked in the palace for the nobility. It was a walled area that could be closed off by large gates at each entrance. This served as protection from invading forces. Nestled inside the kasbah was the castle. Today’s castle in Marrakech is outside of the of this space but is afforded much protection through security guards and high walls. MarocBaba grew up in an old home inside the winding passages of the kasbah. You see, on the other side of these doors lies those childhood memories. When he was growing up these doors would open up on Fridays so that the residents of the kasbah (and anyone else who might be able to find their way) could visit the Badi Palace. There is no admission to visit historical sites on Fridays (for Moroccans). MarocBaba told me that he and his friends would spend afternoons among the ruins. Let’s just say my afternoons were never that interesting.
During our visit he tugged on the doors and peeked through the cracks to find that instead of the passageway he remembered there was only piles of garbage filling the space. No longer were the doors opened. Sometimes our memories of childhood are better left as they are in our minds, instead of revisited to find our reality is no longer the same.
The Olive Souq
Off D’jem al Fna square and around a corner you will find the olive souq. Certainly it’s not the only market place in Marrakech selling these tasty orbs but it is easily accessible and the prices are clearly displayed. If you are a tourist this is a plus. There is little haggling that needs to take place for the products are fixed price. You say you don’t like olives? Have you tasted a Moroccan olive? They come in a rainbow of colors and flavors, from the creamy greens to the salty, cured black signature olives of Morocco.
Or maybe you would like to try the mixed variety. Red and green olives, tossed in local fruity olive oil, parsley, cilantro and red pepper flecks. You might get away with only trying one but I assure you that you will be back for more. You might as well buy a full kilo because once you try one you will want more. But olives are not the only preserved goods you can find with these hanuts. Pickled vegetables, preserved green pepper slices, hot peppers bathing in olive oil ready to be packed and the infamous preserved lemons are all for sale. A little bit of everything won’t hurt….
And, if you don’t find the perfect olive at the first stand…there are plenty of others waiting to show off their goods.
Ouzoud Falls – Morocco
This shot of Ozoud Falls was taken recently by a friend of mine on her Moroccan vacation. I had to share the picture because it was just so beautiful! Ouzoud (it means olives) Falls are located about 150km northeast of Marrakech. It’s a common day trip for tourists. You can rent a private taxi in Marrakech to take you there. There are also buses to Azilal or Beni Mellal after which a shorter taxi ride can be taken.
At the falls there are walking paths as well as cafes and restaurants along the falls. In the summer many people picnic along the falls and ponds. You can also swim in some of the ponds, at your own discretion of course! “Wild” monkeys also inhabit this area, while they’re cute – keep your distance. They’re quite used to people and aren’t very good with boundaries. If you’d like to make this more than just a day trip there are riads available to rent nearby.
I found this very nice review from someone who made the full experience of Ouzoud. So if you’re looking for a way to get away from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech (or any city for that matter), Ouzoud might be just the ticket.
Morocco and the Single Dad
When I started cramming for my LSAT exams I put out a call for guest posts. One of the responses was from Mahir a Twitter follower. I love his story about visiting Morocco as a single dad of two kids. I admire his bravery in taking on this journey and thank him immensely for sharing this story.
What’s a single father with 2 children aged 10 & 11 holidaying in Morocco you may ask……It all started with a plan to take the kids to a dream holiday to Disney Land in Paris and help them forget the pains of a sad year and ended with a unforgettable trek thru the heart of Morocco.
We left our homes from around the other side of the world, Melbourne, Australia landed in Paris did our standard Disney Land tour and drove thru to Milan, Italy where we had our tourist Pizza then prepared for our out of ordinary destination, Marrakech. Through the last years I had heard so much about Morocco, I had been introduced to a Morrocan colleague at work and our Arabic heritage allowed us to share many things about our parents’ home countries, I became entertained with idea of travelling to Morocco and promised myself one day to go, but would the kids enjoy it? Well we were about to see. As we boarded our flight to Marrakech, there was a feeling of excitement and a little anxiety.
Off the plane, we grab our bags and walk to the customs and hand them our passports, Mr Alaoui calls out the customs officer, you are Moroccan? I say no with a smile, little to my knowledge my Arabic surname was a quite popular Moroccan family name, what you will do here, tourist I smile back, he stamps the passports and we are off. I hire a car which will help me get to the destinations I have planned to see, switch my GPS on and to my delight it works like a dream…no need to use any broken French to ask for directions.
I pre-booked an apartment in the heart of Marrakech at a very affordable rate compared to Europe with all amenities and wireless internet, a must for communicating back home to family. Day one we spent exploring the city, Jamea ifna was an amazing site which converts in the night into an amazing food dining experience, for the first time in my life I find myself standing behind the diners literally over their shoulders waiting for them to get up before me and the kids jump on their seats, wow the food taste so amazing, maybe it’s the atmosphere or hustle and bustle of the crowds, with music and lights all around, definitely a memorable experience with my 10 year old son mesmerised by the snake charmers roaming around, and my 11 year old daughter gets her henna tattoo by a very talented artist. The night and day markets of Jame Ifna drawed us back again again.
The next day we drove to Ozour where we jumped across the lake on rocks to a restaurant nested under the cool shade of a tree, where we enjoyed Moroccan tea followed by our main tajine meal, where ever we go in this country is attached to a beautiful meal. This small day trip was would be a teaser for our next trip to the cascades. The cascades are definitely worth the long drive from Marrakech, in the Atlas mountains the cascades awaited us, with beautifully lined paths we found our way to the bottom, catching glimpse of the waterfalls on the way down. This has to be one of the most amazing places in the world, it’s not just the enormous water falls, but it’s the whole environment, from the restaurants to local boys diving into the falls without fear.
Can’t wait for my return trip, this time we want to fly into the capital and travel the coast line, what is it about magical Morocco that draws people from around the world perhaps it’s the people, or is it the history, or the magnetic scenery, who knows, just go and enjoy.
Some pictures that Mahir shared;
You can follow Mahir on Twitter! Thank you for sharing!
A Night in Marrakech
“Every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back.”~Plato
Read More
Post Sponsors and Partners
Where You Can Connect With Me This Year
 |
 |
 |
What people are saying…