Travels and Thoughts
Marrakesh - مراكش (Arabic); ⴰⵎⵓⵔⴰⴽⵓⵛ (Berber)
We were up and about by 7am, showered, dressed, had breakfast and left for Marrakesh with Adam driving the VW, me in front, Fadwa, her mom,Kenza, Jake, and Noah were in the back seat. Although I felt uncomfortable with all the privilege I was given - best bedroom, front seat, best view of sites we visited, etc. - it was also great to have the leg room for the 4.5 hour trip to Marrakesh. Morocco does not have seat belt laws; in fact, cars aren't necessarily equiped with seat belts - so the kids were free to roam about. Noah loved that!
We met up with Soufian, Asmah, and Sophi at Afrika Restaurant and gas station outside Marrakesh. We stayed at Le Meridien in downtown Marrakesh, a grand hotel. We had time for a nap and shower before going out in the evening.
Soufian and Asmah arrived with Mema (Fadwa's mother),Lillia, and Sophia. Mema took care of Kenza, Jacob, Noah, Lillia, and Sophia while we went clubbing. The club where Soufian and Asmah took us was lavish and exotic. Our meal included multiple courses; I tried to stick to salad and beer. There was a lot of belly dancing and music. Patrons could order a houka for their table also. There was a troupe of acrobatic dancers - very good as they did their jumps, etc. One of the main belly dancers had on her head a hat that looked like a wedding cake, and each level of the "cake" was filled with lit candles. As she danced she managed to balance the hat and keep all the candles lit!
We left late after a really great evening exploring the night life of Marrakesh.
Tuesday, we were up early to shower and have breakfast in the hotel - fresh fruit, beet juice, bean soup, scarmbled eggs, and cafe au lait. When we finally got together to go out to the souk - a marketplace. The shops were around a large open area. It was 105, so we didn't stay in the sun long.
I felt sorry for the cobras. They are hard to see, but in the white area within the shadow are two cobras. The handler would get them to raise their heads and sway as he played his music if you gave him some money.
In the courtyard were groups of "performers" who would dance with you if you gave them money. There were also snake charmers who wanted money also.
In the evening, a driver took all of us to Chez Ali for a horse show and dinner. A five course dinner was served around 9-10:30 after which was the horse show. The place was way out in the countryside.
The Chez Ali complex where we had dinner under the tents and where we saw the horseriding performance.
Fadwa was stunning in her white gown as she danced to the traditional drums.
Fadwa and her mother entering the complex.
Interesting Note:
Chez Ali Club de Marrakech is a Moroccan football club based in Marrakech. The club was founded in 2001.
The five-course dinner was really special - very elegant. Mimam, Adam, and Jake are ready to enjoy the first course.
Unfortunately, the horse show wasn't until 10:30 held in a stadium area with bleachers-like seating at the far end. The horsemen were dressed in traditional Arabic military clothing such as would be worn to battle. The would come down the left side of the arena, slip around the side of the horse while galloping, sit back up and shoot their huge rifles. They all did several tricks that would have been used in battle. Near the end, all 6-8 of them came racing towards us in a line. They stopped short of us and all fired their guns at the same time. It made you jump out of your seat it was so loud.
The entire evening - transportation in private van, entrance to Chez Ali, dinner, shows, and the military show with horses - was paid for by one of Fadwa's relatives.
Trip Notes 5/17: The next morning, we got up and packed to leave for Fez. Adam drove all of us with Meema for the six hour drive. We first went to Kinetra to leave Mima with Abdulwahib who would then drive his car to Fez and meet us there. The trip was interesting in that King Mohammed VI was also going to Fez. Although we never saw him, we did see the guards along the entire highway. There would be a guard dressed in his finest uniform with white gloves and carrying a gun about every two miles. On the many overpasses, there would be two guards - one at each end of the overpass. It was quite a site!
NOTE: I am always deferred to! I get the best room, the front seat in the car, first to be served at meal times, etc.