This is the second entry for today, and maybe the last. It's out of sequence as it happened in Marrakech on the Thursday after I got back from the Sahara. No matter though, I don't think it'll ruin the overall story arch.
Hussein from Waka Waka was awesome. He hooked me up with his cousin, which resulted in the tour writing gig, he was a great host when I stayed at the hostel, and he was keeping in touch and making sure I was coming back to visit and making me feel very welcomed any time I did. So I wanted to do something for Hussein to say thank you, but I'm pretty useless all things considered, so I didn't know what. When I asked him if he needed anything he said that a little write up of things to do in Marrakech that people at the hostel could read would be helpful.
Perfect. Not only because it was something that I could actually accomplish, but also because I had already thought about doing one for the tour group and had thought through how I'd put it together. Thing was, I hadn't seen all of the "top spots". I'd been so busy taking my time and just wandering around the city that I was now four, yes, four days away from leaving, and I hadn't seen a number of places. And these were actually places I was wanting to visit.
So it was on Thursday morning, after having my besara breakfast with the guys from the agency at what had become our breakfast spot (more on that another time) that I set out to cover the top three places I still needed to go.
For the record, this is likely going to be one of those times when I actually do say very little. One, I was on my own and moving at a quick pace. Two, you can look it all up online if you want to learn the history, as three, I know very little of it myself and don't feel like doing research rght now.
First stop was the Badia Palace. Built in the 16th century by one of the Saadian sultans al-Mansour, this now ruin of a palace is pretty grand.
You know, I was wondering why Morocco had a local beer called Stork, and now I know.
And yes kids, that's right, babies come from beer.
The next stop was just down the street and was another royal palace, this one, the Bahia Palace, being built in the 19th century, and not a ruin.
I've said it before, but it is worth repeating (I've used that excuse before too mind you; I love the decoration and ornamentation of this architectural style.
The third place, and just a little further down the way, was the Dar Si Said. This private home of a wealthy individual was also built in the 19th century and is similar in structure to the Bahia. It now houses a museum of Moroccan culture, so not only is it pretty, it's full of neat stuff.
And truly this is a museum after my own heart. I mean, the main hall you first walk down has an exhibit on doors. Doors I tell you. Sadly for some reason I was not permitted to take pictures of the doors. These ones though seemed to be permissable.
Or at least the staff that were busy picking oranges from this tree did not seem to mind.
As a rule I've stopped taking pictures of things that are being exhibited. I mean, you've got to draw a line somewhere. Right? Two exceptions at this museum though as they were just too cool to pass up.
Above are the wooden carriages from a child size ferris wheel. Yes, Moroccan tikes could be put in those and go round and round at the local fair.
Below is a mouse trap.
See, just kinda cool.
The last couple of shots were not from this day, but I'm adding them anyway as they were also included in the Waka Waka Walk Around Marrakech. Catchy, eh?
These ones I got on Friday. Cutting it close I know, but the brochure was all but done excluding dropping these couple of pics in.
You may recall the name Ben Youssef from my first day in Marrakech when I went wandering out with folk and visited the Medersa Ben Youssef. Same guy. Same complex. Same neighbourhood.
I will admit to a certain feeling of satisfaction with this closing of the loop. First day, and almost last day, and I find myself in the same neighbourhood. Not my neighbourhood, and I hadn't been back since that first day, so ya, I thought that was kinda cool. Could of planned it if I'd tried, but better that it happened without me trying to make it so.
Hussein from Waka Waka was awesome. He hooked me up with his cousin, which resulted in the tour writing gig, he was a great host when I stayed at the hostel, and he was keeping in touch and making sure I was coming back to visit and making me feel very welcomed any time I did. So I wanted to do something for Hussein to say thank you, but I'm pretty useless all things considered, so I didn't know what. When I asked him if he needed anything he said that a little write up of things to do in Marrakech that people at the hostel could read would be helpful.
Perfect. Not only because it was something that I could actually accomplish, but also because I had already thought about doing one for the tour group and had thought through how I'd put it together. Thing was, I hadn't seen all of the "top spots". I'd been so busy taking my time and just wandering around the city that I was now four, yes, four days away from leaving, and I hadn't seen a number of places. And these were actually places I was wanting to visit.
So it was on Thursday morning, after having my besara breakfast with the guys from the agency at what had become our breakfast spot (more on that another time) that I set out to cover the top three places I still needed to go.
For the record, this is likely going to be one of those times when I actually do say very little. One, I was on my own and moving at a quick pace. Two, you can look it all up online if you want to learn the history, as three, I know very little of it myself and don't feel like doing research rght now.
First stop was the Badia Palace. Built in the 16th century by one of the Saadian sultans al-Mansour, this now ruin of a palace is pretty grand.
You know, I was wondering why Morocco had a local beer called Stork, and now I know.
And yes kids, that's right, babies come from beer.
The next stop was just down the street and was another royal palace, this one, the Bahia Palace, being built in the 19th century, and not a ruin.
I've said it before, but it is worth repeating (I've used that excuse before too mind you; I love the decoration and ornamentation of this architectural style.
The third place, and just a little further down the way, was the Dar Si Said. This private home of a wealthy individual was also built in the 19th century and is similar in structure to the Bahia. It now houses a museum of Moroccan culture, so not only is it pretty, it's full of neat stuff.
And truly this is a museum after my own heart. I mean, the main hall you first walk down has an exhibit on doors. Doors I tell you. Sadly for some reason I was not permitted to take pictures of the doors. These ones though seemed to be permissable.
Or at least the staff that were busy picking oranges from this tree did not seem to mind.
As a rule I've stopped taking pictures of things that are being exhibited. I mean, you've got to draw a line somewhere. Right? Two exceptions at this museum though as they were just too cool to pass up.
Above are the wooden carriages from a child size ferris wheel. Yes, Moroccan tikes could be put in those and go round and round at the local fair.
Below is a mouse trap.
See, just kinda cool.
The last couple of shots were not from this day, but I'm adding them anyway as they were also included in the Waka Waka Walk Around Marrakech. Catchy, eh?
These ones I got on Friday. Cutting it close I know, but the brochure was all but done excluding dropping these couple of pics in.
Above is the Almoravid Koubba. The Almoravids were a Berber dynasty that ruled in the 1th and 12 century. The koubba is a building where ablutions are performed prior to entering a mosque. This one is no longer in use for that purpose, and currently is getting some restorative work done, I believe on it's premolars, so it's off limits to folk like me.
The mosque in question is the one below, the Ben Youssef mosque, perhaps the oldest mosque in Marrakech.
You may recall the name Ben Youssef from my first day in Marrakech when I went wandering out with folk and visited the Medersa Ben Youssef. Same guy. Same complex. Same neighbourhood.
I will admit to a certain feeling of satisfaction with this closing of the loop. First day, and almost last day, and I find myself in the same neighbourhood. Not my neighbourhood, and I hadn't been back since that first day, so ya, I thought that was kinda cool. Could of planned it if I'd tried, but better that it happened without me trying to make it so.
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