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| 12th century Katoubia Mosque...Marrakech's defining landmark can be seen from almost anywhere in the city | |
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| You can see the most incredible ancient doors throughout Morocco |
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| All kinds of spices for sale... |
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| The
frenetic Djemaa el Fnaa square...the greatest square in all of Africa.
Once the destination for traders from around the world, today it
provides ever-changing entertainment. It's alive with storytellers,
healers, snake charmers, acrobats and an untold number of food stalls.
Its a UNESCO world heritage cultural space (one of only a handful in the
world) |
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| Traditional spice display |
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| Anything you can imagine can be found in the souks...even doors! |
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| I don't think the cat is for sale...but you never know! |
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| Morocco is known the world over for its tiles and ceramics |
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| Le Jardin Majorelle, rescued and restored in the 1960's by designer Yves Saint Laurent |
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| Traditional water bearers offering their services |
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| Artisan fashioning a wooden honey dipper with his foot |
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| The many food vendors in the medina as seen from the rooftop of our riad...dinnertime |
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| It wasn't surprising to find vibrantly colored street art throughout the medinas, further demonstrating the Moroccan love for color and texture |
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| Berber handmade carpets are made by the Berber people who are indigenous to North Africa and make up at least 40% of Morocco's population |
Fez...was a step back six centuries, into a medieval world...cobbled streets filled with ancient mosques, narrow doorways and alleyways, brilliantly colored mosaic tiles and artisans crafting objects as did their forefathers centuries ago.
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| Raw materials for weaving...wool, cotton... |
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| Jewish synagogue |
As we journeyed back to Casablanca, we made a few stops. The first was to the extensive Roman ruins at a place called VOLUBILIS, the capital of the ancient Roman province of Mauritania. Given the age old mosaics and house ruins at the large site, it wasn't difficult to picture life so many centuries ago.
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| This was the model for Paris's Arch de Triomphe...see the resemblance? |
We also stopped in the lovely hill town of Moulay Idriss, the holiest Muslim site in Morocco. At its center lies the tomb of the man who brought Islam to Morocco 12 centuries ago... his name was...Moulay Idriss!!
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| Entrance to tomb of Moulay Idriss |
Our
final stop, before arriving in Casablanca, was in the busy hill town of
Meknes, the agricultural center of Morocco and it's capital city in the
1600-1700's.
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| Underground graineries and imperial stables that once held 12,000 horses |
The
end of our journey, we arrived in Casablanca during rush hour! Our
final visit was to the world renown Hassan II mosque. This was
definitely a WOW moment. Situated at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean,
it's huge and sprawling, holding 25,000 people inside and 80,000 in its
precincts.
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| Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at sunset from Hassan II |
And a final farewell... for this visit ...overlooking Casablanca, Morocco...
Hope
you enjoyed traveling with me through the beautiful, vibrant, exciting
Kingdom of Morocco. I look forward to my next visit...
Big Hugs,
abbyj
Unexpectedly
glamorous and intriguing, this is a country that boasts centuries of
civilizations steeped in art, religion and hospitality. Our
accommodations were in RIADS... traditional Moroccan palaces or
mansions that have been re-purposed as still traditional yet modern guest houses, each with an interior garden or courtyard.
Located in the heart of the oldest part of the cities (called medinas,)
we were always at the center of the sights, sounds and smells that make Morocco crackle with high energy!! Marrakech and Fez were bustling and alive with ancestral customs and creativity. Marrakech is a tourist center and Fez, although also a tourist mecca, is the religious core of Morocco.
A labyrinth of spices, argan oil, slippers, painted ceramics, lamps,
beautiful handmade leather bags and jewelry (among other things,) we
wound our way through the hundreds of SOUKS (open-air shops) dodging
motorbikes, donkeys carrying goods, and masses of people. There was extraordinary eye candy at every turn... exhilarating! My photos say more than my words can express...
