Marrakech Has Everything, Except The Marrakech Express!
08/29/2007 07:08 p.m.
Marrakech is awe-inspiring, lively, mysterious, fascinating, chaotic, and a city that simply must be experienced. This Moroccan city is not just exciting, but almost everything about it is over the top and larger than life. Once you arrive in Marrakech, settle into the comfortable and modern accommodations which your travel agent has booked for you, have a relaxing bath or shower, make sure you're hungry, take a deep breath and make a beeline for the enormous central square of Jemaa-el-Fna, which translates into the Place of the Dead: Admittedly not the most pleasant name for a square which specializes in the sales of foods!
The square is packed almost shoulder to shoulder in the daylight hours with snack carts, produce sellers and all sorts of exciting delicacies available for sale. However, that is but a mere shadow of what happens to the square in the evenings. When the sun goes down, Jemaa-el-Fna is packed with even more food stalls, but now they are flanked by fakirs, snake charmers, magic acts, stunt performers, costumed street actors and more wild sights than can be imagined, and they all work for a few coins.
There is a lot more to Moroccan cuisine than couscous, and to simply list the highlights of Moroccan cuisine would take an entire book. Any gourmand would be well advised to just plunge into Jemaa-el-Fna and start ordering whatever looks good. Generally 80% of the food will be memorably delicious, and the other 20% simply won't be compatible with the North American palate and will end up in the nearest trash can.
If your idea of a great Moroccan dinner is not off a cart, the square and the surrounding alleyways are lined with superlative restaurants and cafes. When you're well fueled with Moroccan delicacies, you'll find the Sa'adian Tombs' astounding mausoleums are a few minutes walk from Jemaa-el-Fna. One of the most stunning sights in Marrakech is the Museum of Islamic Art and Majorelle Garden which surprisingly are owned by Yves Saint Laurent, the famous fashion designer, and have been given a complete "makeover" by being painted in the primary colours which are his trademark. Definitely unusual!
Other sights that your travel agent can point out for you include the El Badi Palace, the Koutoubia Mosque, and the souks to be found in the maze of bazaars where you can buy items you won't find at your local Wal-Mart, such as potions to ward off evil. Considering the fact that Morocco is an Islamic country it has a remarkably relaxed attitude, thus you can drink (discreetly) at many local bars and then head to the Hôtel La Mamounia and gamble the night away at the Mamounia Casino.
Hotels in Marrakech range from little more than hovels to opulent, palatial and sophisticated five star resorts. Your travel agent can offer accommodation to suit any budget or taste so you can discover the joys of this very unique and exotic city.
Unfortunately, the Marrakech Express doesn't "formally" exist! Sorry, Crosby Stills Nash & Young fans!
Tags: marrakech, morocco, africa, singles
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