Marrakech
“Before I discovering Marrakech my life was black and white”
~ Yves Saint Laurent
Marrakech Express song by Crosby Still and Nash 1969 I was riding on the Marrakech express through the Atlas Mountains endless olive and date groves sand hoping the Red City would deliver and let’s say it certainly did deliver. There is a certain beauty and solitude as you look at the landscape for the 4-5 hour drive.
Marrakech made up two cities the old city known as the red city where the clay used to build the buildings is made of iron rich soil the roads are more alleyways used mainly for donkey drawn carts and camels the meandering to every nook and cranny. The new city built by the French in 1912 has a lot of order boulevards and wide streets and green areas near the road. Stepping off the bus the first time into the walled city there is a real vibe and excitement you can feel like you have arrived I was so looking forward to explore.
We arrived before the hotel rooms would be ready so drove around the city walls the. Into the new city to have lunch as an old French post office now an aa buzzing restaurant for lunch. If was so very French and old worlds the menu was bistro style I has foie gras with brioche and a chicken salad including a class of French champagne I has been transported to France and knew I would return.
Finally it was time to go to our hotel not too shabby it was a Four Seasons Resort with a 115 rooms spread over 15 acres it has 3 pools 4 restaurants and a breakfast spread to stay all day at all day and a luxury shopping mall is next door.
Breakfast anyone !
The old walled city of Marrakech is a world heritage UNESCO World heritage site it was the first time to see so many tourist in once place we visited the Ben Youssef Madrasa it has been the largest Islamic college in Maghreb in its current form it is a Koranic schools that was built in 1570. It is the biggest Medersa (school) in the whole Maghreb (North west Africa) the architecture was beautiful carved wood but done the morning mist the phots are not worth posting .As we walked to the souk we passed traditional water carriers Guerrab they were dressed is bright red cloths and carried copper cups and water in goat skin bags. The water is drinkable but I didn’t have any the guide had some and he did t die or anything. They are very noisy and chant and tell you fold stories.
Jemaa el-Fnaa Souk a square in the centre of the city a maze of many market holders the colours smells really cause you a sensory overload
A visit to Marrakech would not be complete without visit g the Yves St Laureate house and museum. The first stop Jardin Majorelle, a picturesque garden created by French painter Jacques Majorelle and later restored by design legend Yves Saint-Laurent. Stop at the Yves Saint Laurent Museum nearby for an up-close look at some of the famed designer's creation on the outskirts of his house there a many cafes and shops but sadly we don’t stop.
The final night we had a celebration dinner lots of loud music dancing and fabulous food
Can’t wait to return
