After a wonderful sleep last night, some exploring is in order, or as the band The Clash would say, Rock the Casbah!. Our starting point is our hotel, the Naoura-Barriere, sitting like an oasis just outside the walls to the old city.
This hotel has been home for many celebrities, their photos line the dining room walls, here are a couple that I recognized…
A big healthy breakfast before heading out, fresh fruits, dates, figs, crepes, eggs and baked goods…
and waiter Mohamed serves up one of Morocco’s specialties, mint tea
Marrakesh – The City
The city is divided into two highly contrasting districts: the Medina, founded by the Almoravids nearly 1,000 years ago, and the Ville Nouvelle, a French colonial modernist project from the early 20th century. It is the medina, and its central square Djemaa el-Fna, that sparks the imagination. Orange tree-lined streets and lovely parks…the oranges are too bitter to eat, they are grown only for the beautiful fragrance of the orange blossoms that fill the air in Marrakech.
Djemaa el-Fna is the heart and soul of Marrakechi life, and really comes alive with the setting of the sun, when a caravanasi of food vendors – selling all manner of Moroccan delicacies, descend onto the square. These are accompanied by snake charmers, wide-eyed story tellers, musicians and performers that lend a medieval scent to the night air.
To the north of the square are the important religious buildings and the souks, while to the south are the Imperial quarters where the palaces and monuments of past rulers proudly stand. The Imperial quarters have historically been built on the south side closest to the mountains but most importantly, closest to the mountain’s source of water. After the Royals got their water, then the rest of the populace got theirs!
Green tiled roofs are very noticeable on Royal buildings, as green is the colour of life in Islam. The number 5 is significant in Morocco; the 5 pointed Islamic star, the 5 daily calls to prayers, the 5 pillars of Islam, the 5 finger Islamic symbol of protection. It is very evident in Marrakech.
The Ville Nouvelle, which in comparison to the medina is a decidedly more ordered and sedate affair, divides into the areas of Gueliz and Hivernage. Here you will find an array of civic buildings, international hotels, bars and restaurants typical of any modern European city.
To see Photos of today’s tour in the Medina, click the URL below:
TOMORROW WE RIDE!!…well sort of…it is the short shakedown ride to make sure the bikes are ready for the journey into the High Atlas Mountains and beyond!…but one more afternoon of sight seeing in Marrakech with our Marrakechi guide Mohammed…stay tuned for Rockin’ the Kasbah Part 2.
2 thoughts on “Rockin’ the Kasbah in Marrakesh!”
Looks great Charlie. The mint tea is one of the things I’m looking forward to when I get there
I will try not to mess things up around here for you, but hanging around Tim Dowling is such a bad influence on me that I can’t guarantee anything lol
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