Note the bridge to the Kasbah in Ait Benhaddou. It is now a UNESCO site of a typical Kasbah of many families. An earthquake caused some damage, but 12 families still own their homes here. Most have moved across the river into newer homes. It finally was a warm day and we had many steps to climb. Of course Jane and I had to climb to the very top.
This is a list of the movies that have been filmed here.
It also houses an artist who does drawings of the city with lemon and sugar water in water colors. He paints the painting and then holds it gently over a flame, which burns the sugar and puts beautiful colors into the scene. Hillary Clinton was there and bought something from him.
I had no intention of buying anything, but once we were coming back down the hill I stopped and bought the girl with the eyes. I told Jane we’d be able to catch up with the group because they are so slow. Well! The artist took forever to wrap the painting until I finally grabbed it from him before he could start on another layer of wrapping and we sailed down the stairs as fast as we could. We took the sign that said exit and I lost the tour guide’s voice in my ear from the microphone he uses. We got to the bottom and trudged across the bridge all the while me asking Jane how the hell they could have gotten so far in front of us!! We started to leave the shops when I heard my name being called in my ear. But we still couldn’t see him. I called him on my phone and it was a miracle my pre-paid phone actually worked!! He said “I see you across the bridge. Come back.” It turns out there were two ways down the hill and we got down before they did and kept on going. They never DID get ahead of us. But I felt pretty stupid to get lost.
The highest altitude in Morocco — about 7,500 feet above sea level. And it was windy. That snowy mountain kept following me!
It was my day in the front seat and the hair pin turns and switch backs were unnerving.
This drive was a little scary!!
CLICK.
This was the best hotel, the Movenpick in Marrakesh, and we got to stay 3 days.
We had a dinner hosted by a local family one evening. She was only 38. She had a degree and worked in HR before her kids came along. She had a 15 and 10 and 5 year old. Her husband recently had to quit his job (reasons unknown). They lived in a huge new glass and marble and tile 3-story house. Yes the food was local and home made, but I’m sure she had help in the whole process. But she was very nice and forthcoming. I am always uncomfortable sitting in someone’s house being fed by them.
FINALLY!! The fountains are turned on. This is the first city where the water was flowing due to the drought
This is the Koutoubia Minaret.
In days gone buy this was the water man. He would be dressed in red and would sing a song and provide water to you for a price.
This cat seemed to like me and I didn’t even know it was there.
More gates.
This damage just happened in a Portugal earthquake September 2023.
The Saadian Tombs are a historic royal necropolis (cemetery). They date to the time of the Saadian dynasty and in particular to the reign of Ahmad al-Mansur (1578–1603).
The whole palace and grounds were hidden for hundreds of years. Ahmad al-Mansur (1578–1603) who plundered the Saadian palaces, later restricted access to the Saadian necropolis by sealing it off from most of the surrounding buildings. In 1917 they were “rediscovered” by the Service of Fine Arts, Antiquities, and Historic Monuments.
The Muslims are all buried on their sides facing Mecca (currently in Saudi Arabia). Some of the graves face differently, but those people are buried on their backs and when they sit up, they are facing Mecca.
Don’t know why I was amazed by so many birds. One did poop on my sleeve in one of the gardens. Supposedly, that’s good luck??
This gave me the idea to buy fabric from here and sew my own purse. I found the fabric in Essaouria.
The Bahia palace. Four main rooms opening into this garden — for the king’s four wives. He also had two bedrooms for himself. One huge and tiled in marble and one small with carpeting. One was for winter and one was for summer — they didn’t have heat and air. The other small rooms were for his 24 concubines.
Had a nice break with tea and snacks in Marrakesh. Their bathroom was beautiful.
In the Riad (back garden) we found beautiful rooms and a wedding photo shoot.
I thought the girls were posing for my picture of Jane. I even thanked them. But they were focused on the man lying on the floor in front of the fountain taking their photo. What serendipity!
By this time I was pretty shopped out. but I bought a short jabella here.
Jane wenttto visit the snake charmer. Eeewww!
On to our cooking class. You can tell it was cold, since everyone continued to wear their coats during the class.
Click.
It was a great set-up. We each had our ingredients and our own work station. The bowls are called tagines and usually have vegs, meat and a sauce and are cooked on top of a gas stove.
CLICK.
CLICK.
We had to cut off the tomato skin IN ONE PIECE, and then roll it up to look like a rose. I didn’t see Jane’s across the room, but from her reaction, it was hilarious and we heard all the laughs. We also made a cold eggplant dip. I try and try to like it; but still don’t. I ate my tagine — the onions, raisins and sauce and it was delicious.
We took a 45-minute horse-drawn carriage ride to the hotel. It was wet and blustery and cold, but worth the experience. It was so windy the driver’s coat looked like a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon. This is Tim. He is a contractor in Sanford and he took the cooking class with us.
Inside the hotel was a small bakery. Look closely and you’ll see a bird helping himself to the seeds on the baguette. I thought it was cute until I remembered the Bird Flu problem.
Tim took this hot air balloon ride while we were at the fountain and minaret. He said it was a blast.