Week 19
Day 127
Our first day in Marrakech! We have free breakfast at the hostel so we started the day off with that. Then we headed out to explore our new city.
Our hostel is in the Kasbah area close to Moulay El yazid Mosque. We took pictures outside, as non-muslims are not allowed in the Mosques. Then we went to Jemaa el-Fnaa, the big square in the market area.
At Jemaa el-Fnaa we saw lots of things, including snake charmers, monkeys, and more. We walked through the souks (markets) but didn’t purchase anything. It was all a little overwhelming with people in every stall trying to speak to us.
After the souks we walked to Koutoubia Mosque. More pictures outside and then it was time for our first tajine! More souk walking and then back to our Hostel where they were preparing dinner.
Day 128
Sunrise on the rooftop terrace started off our second day. Breakfast was the same as yesterday but it was good (and free) so, no complaints from us. After breakfast we walked the souks. It was a beautiful day with bright cobalt skies.
We stopped at a cafe for lunch. There are lots of stray cats roaming Marrakech but this area seemed to be the epicenter with upwards of 15 cats loitering and begging for food at the tables. We had another tajine as well as Couscous, both of which were good, but the ambiance of the cats detracted a little from our lunch.
After lunch Katie saw on Maps that there was a Garden “not too far” from where we ate lunch. We took a long walk past a lot of men with guns, who didn’t like pictures (Katie got whistled at and told to put away the camera). Later we learned that we were walking by the royal palace. 20 minutes or so later we arrived at the garden, Katie went to open the gate, and again we got yelled at by a man with a gun. The garden wasn’t open today and he said to come back on Friday or Sunday.
We took some pictures from outside the fence before starting the long walk back to the hostel. The walk back wasn’t too bad. We stopped at a nearby restaurant for dinner and had more amazing tajines!
Day 129
After yesterday’s adventures we did a little more research before heading out today. Upon google verification that it was open, we headed to Jardin Majorelle but first a little walk through the souks and past Koutoubia Mosque.
The gardens were stunning. We posted far too many pictures below but all of the plants and greenery were just amazing.
We also visited the Berber Museum which was fascinating. The Berbers are among the original peoples of North Africa. Their history spans 9,000 years. Berbers make up 40% of the Moroccan population and the Berber language as well as Arabic are Morocco’s official languages.
We enjoyed a late lunch at Corner Cafe. This tajine was the best yet. The tajines just keep getting better and better!
Day 130
Breakfast again at the hostel was satisfying. Today there was a new addition to the breakfast plate, Beghrir. It is like a spongy pancake.
After enjoying breakfast we went to Bahia Palace. The name means brilliance and the palace lived up to the name. Every ceiling, wall and archway was decorated with minute detail.
After the palace we had some street food. Not sure the name of it, or all of what was inside it, but it was a fried triangle of yumminess. We walked around the souks, went back to Jemaa el-Fnaa, and got juice from one of the many stands.
Before dinner we walked back to the square to see it at night time when it completely changes and becomes full of food stalls. To end the day we had dinner at the hostel with two other great couples. The boys who ran the hostel also began preparing for the rain by covering the central atrium area with a huge tarp.
Day 131
Today was rainy so we spent the morning watching Netflix in bed.
When we finally got out in the world we spent the day with more souk shopping and mint tea. Katie tried to take a video of the waiter pouring the tea. We heard from the boys at the hostel that they pour it from really high because that creates bubbles and its not “berber whiskey” if it doesn’t have bubbles. After Katie took the video the guy said something about a picture. Katie thought he was offering to take a picture. He took one of us and then proceeded to delete the video of the tea pouring.
We bought some perfume bars at the souks and did a lot more walking. We took a break and rested in the park by the Mosque. We enjoyed watching some kids practice their soccer skills with a lime. Walk back to the hostel we got caught in the rain. We were able to hide under an archway while the worst of it passed.
After the rain cleared we enjoyed the most spectacular sunset. Then we headed to a restaurant that had a sign that said, “Authentic Mexican Tacos”. It was a lie! But we enjoyed the food even though they were the French panini pressed tacos with potatoes. It was also the first time in a long time that we have seen ketchup, which Cam was excited about, but not as much as harissa, which is Moroccan hot sauce.
Day 132
More rain today. We managed to walk back to Zeitoun Cafe before the rain started. We found a spot under an umbrella, which turned out to be fortuitous as it started to sprinkle and then sporadically downpour during our meal. By the time we were done eating most of the outdoor patrons had left or moved inside but we were cozy under our umbrella. It was also slightly entertaining to watch the staff bring all of the chair cushions inside, then back out, then back in.
It was sprinkling when we finished so we found a nearby cafe to get coffee and tea. We spent most of our afternoon there enjoying people watching before heading back to the hostel for dinner.
Day 133
Today was moving day but we had made plans to go to the tombs with some people from the hostel. We packed up all our things, left them in the storage room and checked out of the hostel before going to the Saadian Tombs.
It was rainy, and cold, but the detail in the tombs was beautiful. We were nice and soggy after that so we went to a cafe to warm up before going back to collect our bags. The Airbnb wasn’t the easiest to find but our host had sent pictures of the door so that it was a little easier.
After getting into the Airbnb, Cameron went to get us takeout pizza/pasta for dinner. The Moroccan version of bolognese was pretty good and the most interesting take on it yet. He also picked up some yummy chips and candy! Trying the candy in different countries is always an adventure as the textures and flavors are sometimes unexpected.
More from Marrakech next week!
Keeping Up With Cam and Katie 