Arriving in Marrakesh, May 11, 2008

What an amazing experience to see Marrakesh in 5 days. From the frenetic energy of Madrid to the enchanting and bewildering euphoria of Djemma al Fna in Marrakesh, my adrenalin was in overdrive the whole time I was traveling in Spain and Morocco.

Marrakesh, as hyped as it is, is still a wonder to visit. As a first time visitor, it was overwhelming at first to arrive in the city just a bit after dusk on a warm May evening, as all the sights, sounds and smell of Djemma al Fna filled the air. I slowly composed my bearings as the petit taxi driver (150 MAD or Moroccan Dirhams from the airport to the medina, although I could have bargained for a bit less, say 120-130 MAD) dropped me off at Bob Fteuh, in front of one of the gates in the walled medina. From then on, I was to find my way to the Riad Amazigh (see photo above, entry into the riad or guest house) which is located right smack within the dizzying souks of Marrakesh.
(TIP: hire a boy guide and give him 20-30 dirhams, and it will save you a lot of time figuring out your way in, as there are hundreds, if not thousands of alleys or derbs in Marrakesh, and it is virtually impossible to find your way the first time!).