On the way back from a trip to the PC office in Rabat I took the train to Marrakesh. If there ever was a place like Las Vegas outside of Las Vegas it would be Marrakesh. This was my first thought. It was so different from the culture in southern Maghreb. I had to write about it. There are people everywhere and at night it is fully lit. Food vendors and performers. There were men dressed as women dancing. Merchants selling charms full of herbs for a good life. Music till all hours of the night. I heard it til 4 from the room of the hotel crammed in an ally. This post cant give it justice! It was a strange feeling the whole place gave me so i did some research. I shall return but just to learn more about this intriguing place.

From Lonely Planet Morocco

“The focal point of Marrakesh is Djemaa el-Fna, a huge square in the medina, and the back drop for one of the worlds greatest spectacles. This magical place is overwhelming at first, but you’ll find yourself returning to it time after time.  Djemaa el-Fna comes into its own at dusk when the curtain goes up on rows of open air food stalls infusing the immediate area with mouthwatering aromas. Jugglers, storytellers, snake charmers, musicians, occasional acrobats, and benign lunatics consume the remaining space, each surrounded by jostling spectators who listen and watch intently or fall about laughing before moving on to the next act. (monkeys, sorcerers, snake charmers, snail soup, etc) ON the outer edges are the juice stalls with their kerosene lanterns ablaze. It should not be surprising to discover that in 2001 Unesco declared the square a World Heritage Site, as a “masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity.”

Here is a video of the alley where the Hotel was located.

 I was traveling with a friend and we had a hard time finding the hotel so we called. Peace Corps Rabat recommended it as many volunteers passing through use it and the price is within our range. Here is how the conversation went with Hakim, the owner, when we arrived.

Me-Salam Wa-alaykum (Peace be upon you)

Hakim-Wa aylaykum salam (Peace be upon you)

Me-Is tsnt tashelheet? (Do you know Tashelheet)

Hakim-Uho!,(no) are you Peace Corps Volunteers? (directed to my friend and I)

…a while later

Me- How did you know that we were Peace Corps Volunteers?

Hakim-Because you are foreigners who speak Berber (said emphatically and with a smile)

He then told us that the hotelwas booked, but for a few dirhams he let us sleep on the roof because he is accustomed to volunteers and I believe enjoys being able to help us out! The whole trip was interesting as i continually learn that Morocco’s generosity towards Peace Corps is never ending…..

Extra Videos of Marrakesh