DISCOMBOB'S BLOG: Marrakesh

After Agadir, it was off to Marrakesh, where we spent 3 days. Marrakesh was a very interesting city, with the old Medina surrounded by the old city walls. Its a complex maze of tiny streets, with shops everywhere selling interesting local handicrafts, weird herbs, poufs and picture frames made of old tyres, and interesting foods. Trying to get anywhere is a bit of a mission, as you are constantly in danger of being run down by the motorbikes sneaking up behind you, and the shopkeepers constantly grab you by the arm and pull you into their stores, making up stories about how they remember you from yesterday and you promised to buy some shoes! It can be an amusing experience, and I think thats a bit how big stars must feel - everyone wants a piece of you. I think more than 3 days of that would drive one a bit insane though.

The Medina is centered around Djemma el Fna, the old square. Its great at night, when the square is full of great food stalls with smoke everywhere, and musicians and general weirdos, so we spent lots of time here.

We were accosted by 2 guys with monkeys who quickly had them jumping over us. After a photo or 2 they demanded exhorbitant rates, so we gave them a pittance, and had to run for it before they set the monkeys on us. Dora became very goood at running away from the locals after a while!

Some of the snacks available at the stalls. While the food was good, after a few days one gets tired of tagines or cous cous all the time!

Dora the Explorer!

I thought I'd save a few bob and have my tooth pulled by one of the local street dentists. Sound for a pound!

Lands sakes. In Croatia I met this fellow, Matt, at my hostel, and even though we weren't on the same boat, I would bump into him at most of the islands. Well, I bumped into him in Djemma el Fna! Who's stalking who! He had won an 8 day tour of Morocco, the lucky fish!

Our local spice man was a rasta Berber, who we affectionately named Bob, after Bob Marley. A charming fellow who would shove bags of black powder in our noses and force us to sniff them to stop us snoring. Another of his fine products was Berber lipstick, which is a clay pot thing that you rub your wet finger on, smear on your lips, and hey presto, you are all set for a night on the town! Sadly I don't have a photo of Bob, but here are some of his wares.

I got offered 2500 camels for Dora. I was tempted, as she looks a natural in her Arab look, and these 2 look like a good couple, but I decided to do the gentlemanly thing and keep her!

Nuts and figs and such

Cheesy grin alert!

One of the highlights of Morocco was jus d'orange. The market is full of these orange juice stalls, and the orange juice is the most delicious sweet juice I've had in yonks!

Snake charmers. I wans't very keen on having a snake draped around my neck, but got suckered into it in the end. Its amazing how strong it is. You can really feel that pent up power in those muscles!

Spice stall

We met 3 American girls in our hostel. What delightful lasses they were, it was very sad to say goodbye, Lacey tucks into her kebab - check out her blue eyes!