One Thousand and One Marrakech

After three days, spent by traveling through the snaky roads in the High Atlas Mountains and at Sahara, we finally reached Marrakech in the evening. The trip to the desert was a lifetime experience for me, as I described in my previous post. But now we were back in the city.

Lost in Medina

When the driver dropped us nearby our Riad Bindoo, we were tired and little confused. The noisy and chaotic streets were so much contrasting with the peace of the desert night before. All the alleys of Medina looked the same to us and we were not sure which was the right one. Honking motorbikes all around didn’t help us concentrate better.

If we didn’t look like two vagrants, we certainly felt so. Just in the right moment, an unknown man came to us. Maybe he recognized a lost prince with his princess in the two vagrants and guessed he might have been rewarded for the help. Thanks to him, we found the way, though it cost us something.

Riad Bindoo really looked like small oriental palace of the One Thousand and One Nights. Its attentive staff took care of us and welcomed us with the Mint tea and cookies. So it was easy to feel pretty royal there.

Temptations

I don’t mind sacrificing the comfort, sleep in the tent, or not to sleep at all, for the sake of experiencing new adventures and see beautiful places. But after all, it was incredible pleasure to take a shower in the beautiful bathroom, wear clean dress and drink mint tea on comfortable sofa with the pool view. I enjoyed every piece of our splendid bed mattress, too. Especially in such a wonderful suite as we had.

After few days with very little sleep, I took my time in the morning. The breakfast on the holiday should be a special event. And Morrocans know how to make it this way. Spring sun was shining and the view from the rooftop terrace over Marrakech tasted the same amazing as the sweet breakfast. The only thing I regret is that this time there wasn’t time left, to go to the famous steam bath hammam.

We had last two days to explore Marrakech but, after previous busy days, we didn’t want to rush. So we chose few places we wanted to visit and started to enjoy the amazing city in the relaxed pace.

Meeting with YSL

Our steps lead to one of the most beautiful places in Marrakech, Jardin Majorelle. Garden that Yves Saint Laurent saved and aggrandized, together with his partner Pierre Bergé.

I chose my clothes carefully, when getting ready to go there, like if I was worried to meet the designer somewhere between the fountain, lake and cactuses. I like to suit to the environment, when traveling, and keep my personal style. This time the result was the mix of the European, Asian and Arabic components in my outfit. I felt being nice dressed, and moreover, able to walk a lot.

Exotic garden is perfect to relax and get inspired, while sitting on one of the benches where, most probably, also Yves Saint Laurent was looking for the inspiration for the new collections.

Bargain

The place gave us enough energy to go from the most peaceful to the busiest place in Marrakech – Jamaa el-Fnaa. The square, full of engaged sellers, selling everything possible and impossible, hard bargaining and exciting performances. We were proud to get the great price when buying a bedsheet and a teapot with the sugar bowl. The one of those looking like magic Jinn would go out from inside. I like souvenirs, but only those that I can incorporate to my house or use, not only put on a shelf.

Though, we were not able to face to all those merchants for long. After two or three hours, we took the deserved break in one of the European style restaurant. Not because we didn’t like the local food, we really loved it. But after few days of trying only the Moroccan meals, we wanted something different.

We chose the Italian restaurant, which is something making me happy, wherever in the world I am. But it was really tough to refuse the tempting invites of the Moroccans, telling us we should come to eat at their restaurant because we look too skinny, even starving. What else one wish to hear?

Even more beauty

For me, even a better experience than the biggest square, were tiny streets, also full of oriental stuff and cute cats, but much calmer. Because here we had enough space to look around properly. Morocco with its aesthetic has so much to offer. The architecture reflects the colors of the nature – red soil , desert sand and blue sky.

The oriental shapes never stops fascinating me. Everything looks incredible – the buildings, the furniture, cookware and everything else. Also the airport is something special. In each and every corner, you can find this delicate sense for the beauty. And it’s usually all accompanied by a friendly smile and great services.

I know I only saw a very small part of what Morocco shows, so before we left, we started to plan another trip. We need to see more of Sahara, go to Fez, Agadir, Casablanca and many others, to experience all its colors and curves.

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Photos by Daniela Rifai, Martin Jesny, Riad Bindoo