My World: What did you see in Marrakech..Grandpa

[fahim mohammed]

It was crowded Mariam. Very crowded. Very French.

This here is the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Jma Al Fna ( as written in Latin Script ).

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

Hi Fahim,

It was crowded Mariam. Very crowded. Very French.

This here is the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Jma Al Fna ( as written in Latin Script ).

That square is on my bucket list of places to visit before I die. What did you mean by "very French"? That there were a lot of French tourists or that the influence of French culture was visible?

 

[fahim mohammed]

Hi Fahim,


That square is on my bucket list of places to visit before I die. What did you mean by "very French"? That there were a lot of French tourists or that the influence of French culture was visible?

Hi Cem,

Sorry for the belated response. I somehow missed it.

Moroccon culture is a wonderful mix. Arab and French. The influences are very obvious.

French is spoken everywhere and by everyone. As is Arabic..the wonderful Moroccon dialect of

Arabic..interspered generously with French!!

The square has become very touristy. But the old ways do survive. The night time story tellers

and plays are Arabic and thronged by sightseers. But much more so by the locals.

Must see city. The red city..as it is known.

Regards.

p.s Cem, I have been reliably informed that a round trip fare from paris to marrakech is around Euros

50.00

 

[fahim mohammed]

Well what did I see in Marrakech ? I saw more Lonely Planet guides being carried by people..

in French mostly..than I saw anywhere else!!

My wife carried one too! I generally use it to know which places to avoid!! But one can't avoid

all the most well known places.

I ventured out. To see the old ways. Necessity has forced them to cater to tourists to make

a living. But the old ways survive. And glad to say they survive very well.

This is not a place on a tourist map. But some do stop and hence the handmade designs

on sale. This is in a Berber village. An hour's drive from Marrakech, in the Atlas mountains.

 

[fahim mohammed]

Let's talk cooking and cosmetics..

Olive oil abounds; olives as far as the eye can see. In every direction. Everywhere.

But olive oil is passee. For those who know. For those who value health and the best it is not

olive oil, but Argan oil. Indigenous to Morocco. Found in Mexico but of a far inferior variety.

Nowadays it is the new chic..Argan oil.

The Berbers have been using it for thousands of years!!

A machine to show how oil was extracted in olden days. And today in the most exclusive places..

Those that do it by hand..expensive...

 

[fahim mohammed]

As throughout the Maghreb, design..Islamic Design, is predominant. Not an entrance to a special place.

Just a door along the wonderful and mysterious narrow streets of the Old City in Marrakech..

A photogs paradise is to be found here.

 

[fahim mohammed]

Up in the High Atlas mountains, we went into a village. Mostly constructed of mud and clay.

One of the very few buildings made of concrete and cement..The Mosque.

Morocco is a Muslim country. The faith runs very strong here.

Simple and functional. A reflection of the importance the Mosque for the villagers..

p.s the arrow points ( what I am pretty sure, though some words are unseen ) is the room for abulution.

The writing in Arabic is one of the Hadiths of Prophet Mohammed ( PBUH ). It also requests worshippers

to contribute for the Mosque's maintenance and repair.

 

[fahim mohammed]

The Red City..one of the narrow streets in the ' madina '.

Keep in mind that the street widths have not been altered for around a thousand years. It is prohibited

by law in the Maghreb to, generally, alter the facades and outsides of buildings in the ' madina '.

The houses and doors retain the locations of ancient times. The architecture and any repair work has

to be in keeping with the original and surrounds.

For exact building laws and regulations please do not ask me. Refer the appropriate Moroccan authorities

with your queries re: this matter.

 

[Helene Anderson]

Great set of images but the one that really popped out for me was the one of the wheel for the oil, superbe.

 

[fahim mohammed]

Great set of images but the one that really popped out for me was the one of the wheel for the oil, superbe.

Madam, you are too kind.

Since you took your time to stop by and graciously comment may I post this image taken of

2 dozen bars of handmade herbal soaps, with pure Argan oil, being produced for my wife.

I was sitting with her husband having tea.

Kindest regards.