Snake Charms
Trip Start
Jul 03, 2000
1
20
59
Trip End
Jan 09, 2001
Marrakesh,
Morocco
Thursday, August 31, 2000
Marrakesh was definitely the Gem of Morocco. We caught an overnight train down from Rabat and then caught a taxi into the famous and atmospheric main square Djemaa El-Fna. From here, now accustomed to the hustle that is usually associated with a new place, we jumped straight into the medina following a map to our hotel. Marrakesh was the most eye catching of all the places we visited in Morocco with the rustic red clay blazing in the intense heat.
The souqs or locally covered markets were a welcome relief to the heat during the day and took up many hours wandering around all the spice stalls and markets. We ended up buying a pair of lamps made from animal hide and covered in natural dyes and henna.
At night the Djemaa El-Fna really came to life with each night the square being transformed into a hustling food market. You also had to watch your step, as there were numerous snake charmers, musicians and acrobats plying their trade. I had my own brush with one of the snake charmers who decided to sneak up on me and drape a snake around my neck, he then blessed me by making the snake kiss my hands and forehead before demanding and stupid amount of dirhams from me. I ended up giving him a few coins instead for the photo I had taken with the snake.
