Marrakech Souks
January 27, 2013Later that day we headed out
to roam the souks, slowly making our way through the narrow passages towards Jemaa
el-Fnaa square. Along the way we passed veiled women, clambering mule carts,
and endless stalls. We could not help but stop to purchase handmade leather babouche slippers, Moroccan argon oil,
spices, amber soaps and the most lovely silver trays, water decanters and brass
lanterns. Though I must admit, haggling was part of the fun!
When
we arrived at Jemaa el-Fnaa we were enchanted by the spectacle we saw before us.
Fortune tellers, henna artists, singers, healers and fakirs all gathered in
this cultural epicenter to entertain us. It reminded me of
a fairy-tale like circus, very much what I had imagined as a child. It was
magical. And when a snake charmer draped my neck with a serpent and cobra and told
me I would receive baraka or good
luck, I knew Marrakech and I were meant to be.
As
the sun began to set over the square the real excitement began. This mysterious
place became the land of Arabian fantasies. Troupes of costumed acrobats,
storytellers, healers and other colorful characters dazzled us, as the air filled
with the aromatic fumes from the food stands that quickly turned the square into
a venue for alfresco dining.
The
food is prepared hot and fresh along the many rows of countless food stalls. They
are all wonderful, but stall #12 was our favourite serving up delicious shish
kebabs, salads, Tajines and couscous. The entire square is dark with the exception
of the gas lamps that light up the food vendors cooking area and illuminates the
towers of greasy smoke sailing over the Jemaa. This was the perfect way to end
off our first day in Marrakech, and as we returned to the Riad we were filled
with a sense of childlike adventure and looked forward to tomorrow.
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