This crazy city

After living here in Marrakech, I think it is safe for me to say that this city is certifiably insane. The utter lawlessness that prevails on the roads here means being alert at all times to the speeding motorcycles, donkey drawn carts, horse drawn carriages and cabs. The "streets" are narrow, winding, and usually unmarked, making it very easy to get lost and/or flattened by the odd passing donkey or motorcyclist. The souqs (markets) are packed to the gills with shoes, fabric, scarves, spices, knock off purses (!), and pretty much anything else you can imagine.

The shopkeepers call to you as you walk along, trying to catch your eye with their goods. The best example I can give of what it is like shopping here is this: yesterday Kelsey and I were browsing the souqs, not really interested in buying anything. One shopkeeper called out to us "qu'est ce que tu cherches?" (what are you looking for?) I replied "Rien" (nothing), to which he responded "quel couleur de rien?" ( what color of nothing?)! You haggle for absolutely everything of the cost of your cab ride right on down to the price of a water bottle.

As you all know, I have very little sense of direction, but I think even the most accomplished navigator would get lost here. The other day Kelsey and I were lost for over an hour as we wound our way through the souqs in the hopes of finding a museum (I finally found it the next day after getting very detailed directions from the hostel staff). We passed through the leather working, metal working, cloth dying, and rug selling districts respectively before accidentally chancing on the museum only to find that it was closed due to the abbreviated Ramadan hours! Luckily, at this point, a very nice French couple lead us back to the right path and pointed us in the direction of the main square, Djemaa el Fna.

During the day, the square is populated by stands selling fresh squeezed orange juice, snake charmers, men with trained monkeys, women trying to give you henna tattoos ( for the low low price of 500 Durham or about $62!!), and of course motorcyclists making the mad dash across the square. At night, dozens of impromptu restaurants pop up shortly after sunset. These stands with picnic tables in front of them sell delicious food at incredibly low prices. I have eaten at them the past several nights and have had great meals!

Needless to say, it can all be a bit overwhelming, especially when coupled with temperatures in the 90s. Finally, though, I feel that I have acclimated a bit, and it helps that my hostel is a wonderful little oasis. I'll be here for the next four days working on my thesis while Kelsey is in a rural village that she visited during her study abroad time here. Then, I will continue about 7 hours north to Meknès before meeting her again in Fez on the 17th!

Location:Rue Dabachi,Marrakesh,Morocco