Marrakech Morocco, June 3-5

As the end of our time in Spain and school draws near, we made plans to pack in as much low cost and nearby travel as possible before heading back to Seattle next month. Just 2 weeks after our lovely re-visit to Granada, we headed to Morocco--just a short flight across the Alboran sea. (We can actually see Morocco at dusk from our Terrace in the right light). The boys were excited to see "Africa" and we were all looking forward to another adventure of sights, sounds, smells, tastes, education and experiences. And Marrakech inundated us with all of it, all of the time. A beautiful and busy place. Wow!

After arriving late at night, we started our morning with a half day walking tour of the central Medina: the ancient walled cenral part of the city. We began with a school that started in the 1500's and attracted students from all over the arab world.

Many signs are in French, English, Arab and Berber.

The plaster, tile and wood work was amazing

Parker peeking into a dorm room that could house up to 6 children or more.

Our guide led us through the souks (marketplaces) and working areas including tanneries, metal works and woodworking.

The rugs were amazing

"colorful, chaotic and incredibly exotic"

We then moved on to the Bahia Palace. The artistry and colors of construction were more detailed and vibrant than what we had previously seen in the Arab palaces of southern Spain.

The boys could only handle so much

Spice store in a square where we had lunch.

Back to our hotel for a rest. We stayed in a riad, which is usually a square, family run building with an open air space in the center which can include food and other services.

A stroll to the central square of the medina. We found this tower which we were told is the twin of the tower built in Seville (the one we climbed adjacent to the gothic cathedral), built at the same time by the same architect in the same way.

The square is a fun place for people to congregate for entertainment, food, and music.

Late at night, Todd went to experience a hammam: Someone gives you an exfoliating bath in a hot sauna room with special soaps, rinses you off and then gives you a massage before soaking in the hot tub.

Complete with a ride back to the riad on the back of the motorbike.

The snake charmer charmed us.

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The next day we took a tour into the Atlas mountians and stopped at one of the oldest known continuously inhabited Berber village of Azro. The Imazighen are the indigenous people of Morrocco and other parts of northern Africa. They are not Arab and have a distinct culture, language, and their own flag. The word Berber has been used to describe them for centuries, derived from the latin for barbarian.

Out of the van we started off on a hike in Imlil in the mountains on the edge of the Sahara.

A 90 minute hike brought us through the village, up a roaring river and waterfall, past orchards of apple, cherry, fig and walnut trees. Toubkal mountian is the tallest in the Atlas mountains and one of the tallest in all of Africa, still with snow.

Our guide telling us of how local young women have mishaped these walnut trees over decades to scrape away the trees skins for makeup.

Tagine was the most commonly prepared food.

View from lunch at a Berber family home.

Famous Berber rugs out for display on our hike down from the hills.

Argan oil. We tasted it but it's not great for consumption. It's mainly used in cosmetics and many of the local companies are owned and run solely by women.

We didn't get dressed up for nothin.

Amber's most beautiful camel (dromedary) led the pack. Parker rode with us, but Drion sat this one out.

Getting off the beast was an experience where they go down forward onto their knees, then back, then forward again. hold on tight!

Mint tea is a daily staple in Morrocco. Poured from a great height is a a sign of respect and we were told the froth that forms catches the sand in the air to keep it out of your drink.

Breakfast on the riad rooftop on our last day.

The wall surrounding the medina. We walked to hop in a taxi to

Jardins Marjorelle, which houses a pleasant garden and Berber museum.

Silly times

What I call "the insta line". (for people to take instagram selfies)

taxi back into the medina.

boys got dressed up by shopkeeper while we shopped for souveniers.

Found lunch in the medina at a recommended and yummy restaurant.

One last glance at our riad.

Fancy airport. Goodbye Morrocco!

Overall we really enjoyed our whirlwind trip to Marrakech and the area. The Berber people and culture, as well as the history of the city were fascinating. We encountered a few friendly locals to connect with and get to know. The colors, the sounds (the muslim prayers that woke us at 4am), the sights, the food, the smells. It was all nearly overwhelming and a bit overwhelming at times. But it was a beautiful and memorable experience that we'd recommend to anyone.