Saturday, 17 April 2010

Morocco - Day 7 - Marrakesh

It was my last full day, and I decided to fit in as much as I could. After another ridiculously large – but very enjoyable breakfast – I set off to see some more of the sites.

I decided to visit the Saadian Tombs – and on my way walked to the Mosque where I'd been dropped several days before by the rental car man. Just as I stopped to look at the map, two girls ask me if I knew where we were.

We get chatting, and it turns out that they are both from Sweden – here to get some winter sun. I started complaining about the weather at home and how I wasn't looking forward to going back. They both laughed politely and told me it was -13 in Sweden!

As they walked away, I wondered if they dreamed of silver screen quotations.

A typical residential street:



Having wandered around the tombs (not that exciting – but OK), I decided to make my way to the ruins of Palais El-Badi. The book says that it was once the best of the palaces – although it's now in ruins. Which is pretty much what it was – ruins.

...and here they are:



And the old palace:



Er...me:



Carving at the tombs:



If you like piles of old rocks and the odd underground tunnel – make sure you visit. Everyone else – give it a miss.

Public notices showing events and festivals:



I'd gotten bored of visiting stuff - so decided to wander for the rest of the day - and it was definitely the right decision.

Having walked miles – I finally found myself back in the big square, and the food stalls.

Ancient Mosque:



Carpet stalls in one of the squares:



Tonight was different. A sand storm had blown in from the desert and there was sand in the air - the air even tasted of sand. Everything was much more subdued and there were hardly any people out.



I couldn't resist the egg and potato sandwich (this time with the fiercest chili sauce of all time), and washed it down with a glass of freshly squeezed orange, followed by coffee and cake at this stall:



And then I managed to find a bar - but it was full of westerners and all felt a bit European - so after a quick beer I decided to call it a night.

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