We spent the morning getting a flavor for the souks, the open markets that line all the narrow streets selling scarfs, spices, fruit, leather, just about everything. There are fellas trying everything they can to get you to come into their stall. Some are funny, some are pleasant, some are tennacious, and some are aggressive and will just grab you and lead you in. We noticed something interesting though. Your immediate reaction is to say no to everything that is offered to you, afterall who really wants to talk to a salesman. Even if you really are interested in looking at something in the store, your gut reaction is to walk away.
Spent the afternoon the hotels rooftop deck looking over the city and a bit of mint tea.
After the sun goes down, this market place really comes alive. All the food vendors come out, as well as the snake charmers, trained monkeys, story tellers, and everyone done fasting for Ramadan. We wandered a bit looking for a good vendor for dinner. Passed on the goats head and settled for tamer selection of some delicious perch, sardines, calamari, fish croquets. Since they frown on all alcohol here we washed it down with a Fanta.
We were warned that Ramadan might be a bad time to come here since a lot of places would be closed. We have not found this to be the case
since Jemaa El Fna is open and accessible during the day and downright
buzzing with activity at night.
Tomorrow: might take in some of the historical sites
The pic: The 12 century Koutoubia Mosque over looking Jemaa El Fna. The call to prayer 5 times a day is clearest from this mosque as it is
the closest to our hotel.
No comments:
Post a Comment