The Marrakech Express

Went to Marrakech Friday. What a place! My description below doesn't begin to really describe what it is like. I'll post some photos tomorrow.

Marrakech has to be one of the most interesting cities in all the world. Unbelievable traffic; a huge public square in the middle of one of largest & most confusing Medinas in Morocco, full of food stalls, souks, donkeys, monkeys, motorbikes, snake (cobras) charmers, hustlers, musicians, and pickpockets. It's intimidating, it's amazing, and leaves you wanting to return again and again.

I went there with a group of 5 other volunteers. We went from Rabat to Marrakech by train - a 4 hour trip in a compartment where the AC worked only some of the time!

When we arrived we took a van provided by our Riad (guest house) to the Medina. Once there, we walked through a maze of narrow alleys and passage-ways filled with people, donkeys, cats, and motorbikes until we came to the entrance to the Riad. Open the door and you enter another world, one of calm tranquility. The Riad was about middle of the road in quality and cost; but the hospitality was priceless.

We dropped off our bags, had tea on the roof-top terrace, then ventured out to the Djemaa el Fina, a huge cobble-stoned square that at night is an amazing carnival of musicians, street entertainers, food stall hustlers (they literally grab you and try to pull you into their food tent) and hundreds of people. During the day, it's filled with snake charmers, souk merchants hawking their wares, more hustlers, pickpockets (you learn to walk around with your wallet in your front pocket and your hand on it at ALL times) and more people. It's not a place to go if you're looking for touristy peace and quiet! But it is THE PLACE to go if you want to experience the real Morocco.

After the dizzying experience of Marrakech, it was time to head to the sea-side town of Essaouria, to relax and decompress. Essaouira is a 3 hour bus ride SW of Marrakech. It's a laid-back town usually filled with tourists, and Moroccans escaping the heat of the interior for the weekend. But it's also probably the windiest town in all of Africa. Great if you like to wind-surf, not so great if you just want to sit on the beach. One of our group anchored their beach towel in the sand and went into the water. When she came back she couldn't find the towel - it was completely covered with sand.

The hotel we stayed at was in the middle of the Medina, but unlike Marrakech, it was very easy to find. The rooms are cheap (about $40/night) but surprisingly clean & comfortable. Although they don't supply towels, soap, or a shower curtain (you use the bathroom door). Luckily you can buy soap & a towel in the Medina for about $1.50 - if you're good at haggling. A skill we have all mastered (or we think we have anyway).

On Sunday we pile back onto the bus for the ride back to Marrakech and the train to Rabat. This time the AC works the whole way; but the train is delayed an hour. We finally make it to the home base at 12:00 AM, tired, but awed by the experience.

I'd do it again in a heart-beat.