I never showed you my Morocco photos, did I? Well, here they are. Mostly Marrakech, a bit of Tangier.
Morocco was amazing and exhausting. I adore Islamic architecture, and it felt like everything I looked at was a treasure of tiled, stuccoed, or carved detail. I did get to see my beautiful doors by the truckload as well. And the food – those people know how to cook for vegetarians!
The people were extremely friendly and mostly helpful, even if it was in a manner that reminded me of working in timeshare. I struggled a bit with the realization that everything anyone did for you or said to you was geared toward your giving them money. It added a cynicism to my dealings with the locals that made me a bit sad; the situation was exacerbated by my inability to communicate at any real level. Despite years and years of french studies, my french is almost nil. My arabic is much much worse. Since one of the reasons I travel is for the people, this was all quite frustrating.
But the things we saw! We stayed in a riad very close to the main square in Marrakech, and every night there the square fills up and becomes something more alive than the wildest festival at home. Fortune tellers, story tellers, people selling juice and spices and toys and pottery and metalwork, people with monkeys, snake charmers, and on and on. It was wonderful and overwhelming. And it wasn’t a festival. It’s just what happens there every night.
I loved Morocco. It was the challenging portion of our trip. Spain was easy. When I got back to Tarifa, it was with a melting of tension. But there are rewards in things that challenge you, and my time there won’t be soon forgotten.
My One Precious Life 
Loving your photos! I went to Marrakech in March – had an incredible time!
It’s amazing, isn’t it?
Thanks for the photos. I too love the architecture. When I was closest to Morocco was back in the early ’70’s. I didn’t dare go there by myself – stories of white women pulled into slavery curled my toes. I’m glad you were able to go, though I understand the frustration at being seen as a source of handouts. I also understand dire poverty and what it does to people.
Oh I get where they’re coming from. Don’t misunderstand me. Under similar conditions, I’m sure I’d be doing the same thing. It’s just exhausting and you start to feel like a big jerk because you’re just saying no all the time.
Yes. I’ve been there too.
Great photos! This has made me VERY excited as I’m leaving for Marrakech in 4 days!! Very pleased to hear about the good veggie food, too!! 🙂
Ooh, have fun! It is a fascinating city.
Reblogged this on Jennifer Garcia Pages.