Feb 27 2009
Morocco: Marrakesh
Ahh, the sights and sounds of Marrakesh (or Marrakech)—Morocco’s well-known city that combines Asia, Africa, and Europe into one bustling city. We arrived at the local bus station on a hot day and took a petit taxi to the outskirts of the medina to find our riad, just a few minute’s walk from the popular Djemaa el Fna square.
The square, bordered by the Koutoubia Mosque, is one of the busiest in Africa—filled with orange juice stands and women offering henna art for tourists during the day and storytellers, dancing boys, and magicians at night. Men play nasal high-pitched horns attempting to charm the snakes sitting on the floor while others carry monkeys on leashes. It’s a location where one should just sit, enjoy some tea, and watch.
Other popular sights in Marrakesh include the Saadian tombs which date from the time of the sultan Ahmad al-Mansur (1578-1603), Ben Youssef Medersa, a stunning mosque, and the ruins of the El Badi Palace. The markets and souks, of course, are also a major attraction with various areas of the town turning into mazes of shops and stands selling standard Moroccan fare.
Arrival: Marrakesh has a major airport with daily flights from numerous cities. The city also connects with other Moroccan cities via bus and train lines.
Accommodation: As a big city, you have plenty of options of accommodation. Be sure to look at a map before selecting hotel as there are many choices available within walking distance of the various attractions and being close is worth it.
Food: Again, your food choices are numerous. Ranging from the über-cheap (but maybe not so sanitary) street food sold in the square to expensive French restaurants, Marrakesh offers a wide variety of options.
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