If You Can't Say Something Nice, Say It In French

By plane, train, and automobile I was determined to make it on my flight to Marrakech Thursday, nothing was going to stop me! Including the massive mob of strikers; oh, how the French love a good transportation strike. 

By foot, one tram, and six bus stops later, I finally made it to the airport just in time to discover almost every single flight had been cancelled. Thankfully, only having taken three hours to get to the airport and two hours delayed once I did arrive, two flights left Nice airport--one to London and mine. As the French would say, "Bravo!" 

Professor Madsen spoke so highly of Marrakech that Shelby (a summer 2012 study abroad veteran) and I decided we just absolutely had to experience Morocco this time around too. How grateful I am to the Madsen's for sharing their adventure with us; if it weren't for them we probably would have put off going there until further down the road, and what a shame that would have been! 

Morocco is unlike any country I have ever visited before; it is rich in culture, like most, but it also has an added aspect of a very humbling calmness that envelopes this little city of Marrakech. 

The people that live in Marrakech are a very devoted and opportunistic culture. The markets are wild; hidden within the city walls are tiny streets that are lined with different shops of all sorts. You have to watch out for the fast motor bikers for fear they may not stop if you don't get over to one side so, often you will hear someone shout: "à gauche!" 

Once you have made it through the market you will come upon a giant big square, here is where the snake charmers and monkey tamers will be: 

Just be careful because you never know who may have a snake hidden in their Thobe: 

The souks are even more fun! The souks are tucked among the riads and they are a labyrinth of sorts. Selling goods is like a game to some; they are so nice, coaxing you into their shop with how are you and where are you from, before you know it you will be haggling a price for a hand painted genie lamp or turquoise jeweled shoes. 

Amongst all the charm and hospitality, riads are scattered throughout the market streets that are an oasis away from the chaos of every day life. 

My favorite moment was sitting on the terrace of our riad, watching the sunset, and listening to the majestic sounds of the calling, sang from the rooftops and on the streets below, as the whole city joins together to devote time to something more than themselves, something that is so dear to them--what an experience! C'est bonne. 

Travel Often, xoxo