We did get plates, we did get rugs and we did get a hundred leather bags, shoes and slippers. We didnt however get drugs and we didnt have ‘easy-going sex with gorgeous, under-age youths…’ as Patsy said we should.
We did find an excess of cous cous (Marrakech is not the place for vegetarians) and we couldn’t find beer for love nor money.
On visiting Marrakech we were absolutely blown away by the vibrancy of the place, the chaotic whirlwind of the centre that you cant help but get caught up in, the colours and smells that are an assault on all of your senses all at once and the way in which within hours of landing you are wandering the dusty streets in a pair of leather Jesus sandles, haggling in Souks over pointy toed slippers you wouldnt be seen dead in at home and simultaneously being seduced and slapped around the face at every turn in this crazy city.
Marrakesh is not the place to stand still though, you are pushed along the streets in a tidal wave of people either trying to sell you scarves and or dodgy footwear, show you their dancing squirrels or you are harassed by guides offering to show you the back streets for a tidy sum. You learn to take photo’s quickly whilst on the move as quietly taking in the view is just not an option.
The only time we did stop was to momentarily check out some of the poor horses who trapse up and down the cobbles streets day and night – we visisted the SPANA sanctuary which was heartbreaking, overwhelming and encouraging in equal measures. We saw injuries that animals just should not have to endure, but thanks to SPANA these animals are now able to be treated and their owners educated on how to better care for these long suffering, hard working creatures, without whom they just wouldnt be able to make a living.
I dont think anything quite matches that very first time you visit Marrakech and you enter this washing machine of chaos, colour & spices – a very very magical moment……
