Travelling In Marrakesh

One of the highlights of any trip to North Africa and certainly of any trip to Morocco is Marrakesh. It is the former capital of Morocco, and a lively and bustling city in the modern day. Marrakesh is a special place that travellers are often deeply affected by, not for its sightseeing opportunities, but rather for the kinds of people it attracts and all the unique characters you meet there. It is very difficult to have a boring experience in Marrakesh.

The main draw for tourists is the city's Djemma el Fna, the huge central souk, or marketplace. It really is more than just a regular market, it is something akin to a circus sideshow or a travelling carnival. It can be disorienting, and you have to keep your wits about you to keep from being manipulated by the vendors and other people who want something from you, and to watch your wallet. But if you calm yourself and simply assert your boundaries with people who approach or call out to you, then you can have a great time watching the freakshow unfold. Near the gates through which you enter the marketplace, there are terrace cafes where you can sit and watch the madness unfold while sipping some coffee or tea. Around the time of sunset, the buildings of the Djemma turn a haunting combination of orange and blue. After dark, the area is illuminated with lanterns, and the surreal scene becomes even moreso.

The whole city of Marrakesh is filled with various historical antiquities and monuments, and is surrounded by the walls of the old city. Around town there are various towers and fotifications that remind you that you are indeed in an ancient desert city in North Africa. No matter where you go you will experience some traditional desert atmosphere, and even though Marrakesh is not a new destination for tourists, it is very far from spoiled and it is a great place to experience Morocco with a touch of big city weirdness.

By: Bob Ether

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