Marrakech, Morocco

 

February 11,12 2016

 

Snake Charmers, Acrobats, Monkeys, Souks in a maze and Majorelle Gardens…ricocheting  thoughts as we landed in Marrakech after a 6-hour plus flight from Jordan. And, of course, we were looking forward to the most fabulous hotel ever! La Mamounia is perfectly located…in the old town (media) and near the most famous mosque and of course the square. The Hotel opened in 1923 and has been renovated several times. After most recent, the palace is once again a vibrant celebration of the city’s past, present and future, displaying Moroccan style, complete with intricate patterns and arabesques based on Berber and Arab-Andalusian traditions.

Winston Churchill described La Mamounia this way: “It is the most lovely spot in the whole world”. The tile work is very impressive, and I understand why Doris Duke was so taken with Muslim art and architecture. It is gorgeous.   Me want!

 

Morocco has been inhabited for more that 50,000 years. The familiar story of the conquering forces forcing religion and culture repeats itself yet again! Arab forces started in about 684 A.D. with the goal of converting Jews and Christians to the new faith. Then it really got bloody between the Berbers and the Arabs! Oh dear.

Fast forward to King Hassan II (1961-199)…. moderation prevailed and his son seems to be on that same road. All seemed peaceful and safe while we were there.

It was odd, however, that we had to land in the Azores on our way back to the USA as Marrakech is not considered a secure airport by the TSA…..go figure. Didn’t know that until we left, thank God.

 

We started our day with a trip to the Koutoubia Mosque, and Ben Youssef Madrasa. All followed by a delicious lunch by the pool at our fabulous hotel…so civilized.

 

In the afternoon, we visited the Majorelle Gardens, which were established in the 1920’s. We traveled with our pals, Sarah and Allan, in a horse drawn buggy! It took French painter Jacques Majorelle (1886-1962) forty years of passion and dedication to create this charming garden in the heart of the “Ochre City”. Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge later restored the gardens and they are quite something. The duo began visiting the gardens in 1966 and finally bought the property in 1980, thus preventing the gardens from becoming a hotel!   Pierre donated the gardens to their Foundation after YSL died in 2008. Bougainvillea, palms, cactus…pretty wonderful and a tasteful gift store!

 

 

 

In the afternoon we went to the Djemaa El Fna Square. There I saw a snake!   A Cobra! I didn’t know if I could get close enough to take a photo, and I guess I couldn’t! When one of the men put a different type of snake around Jerry’s neck, I tried to take a photo and I ended up cutting off Jerry’s head. I’m pretty proud of myself, as I’m totally phobic about all things snake related! Sorry about the head Jerry.

 

And, then, we entered the Souks…a maze really and we lost all sense of direction. Good thing we had a guide! Saw some amazing sights: a wood turner who used his feet, some beautiful vegetable dyes destined to become carpets perhaps, finished carpets everywhere (was tempted and no go), silver, clothing, spices, communal bread baker, leather shops, and on and on. The shopkeepers expect you to bargain, and I’m not comfortable…need Sasha! One man was so aggressive; I had to leave and all over a scarf!

Tonight would be our farewell dinner. We decided to wear rain ponchos to the cocktail party! Our fearless leader, Ester, was ALWAYS reminding us to take our ponchos when we left each day…and it NEVER rained! It became a running joke.  We had a lovely dinner complete with belly dancers, delicious food, and drink!

 

What a rewarding trip. And, although we traveled around the world in about 24 or 25 days representing 66 hours approximately in travel time, it was perfect! The pace is not for sissies! We were active from sunrise to sunset and beyond. I highly recommend National Geographic Expeditions!

 

A few takeaways:

Not in order of importance except the first one!

1. The Untied States of America in the greatest country on earth. I’m in Warren Buffet’s camp.
2. Stay away from current news…. it would have prevented us from going on this amazing trip! Remember boring doesn’t sell papers.
3. Don’t judge a book, etc. Make an effort to interact with people who are not like you!
4. We are all connected. Similar construction techniques were visible in Peru, Easter Island and Cambodia.
5. We are from Africa.  Our ancestors were African.…irrefutable. Get over it! Bigotry has no place in any society.
6. A bunch of really awful stuff was done in the name of God, Allah, Jehovah, etc.  Seriously just wrong.  There is no room in this world for extremism….none.  And, BTW, fairly confident the higher power doesn’t like what’s been done in his name for centuries….enough.