Well – this time we really have to work for it! What’s this?
Thoughts
Have a Taste of Magical Marrakesh
If I were to chose one picture, only, to represent my visit to Marrakesh and the Medina, it would be the one in the header. Colourful, hot and filled with scents. Then, there is of course the multitude of people…here we go!
I loved our little street. Behind the typical pink walls, we had to walk endless tiny streets and alleys to get to our Riad (Moroccan mansion) . But there was no stress, a calm and friendly atmosphere – and no ”special guides” trying to make money out of us.
Just the everyday life going on…young and old, working or relaxing in the shadow.
On our way to the Souks, the principal shopping attraction in the city, I felt a bit worried about how I would cope with it. I do not like haggling, so I had already decided not to buy anything. My husband has visited Marrakesh at least three times before, and had also warned me that we soon would be ”kidnapped” by ”local guides”. (And so we were…)
Marrakesh has the largest traditional Berber market in Morocco, and the souk area has been compared to a micro-medina in itself, where it is absolutely essential to get lost…
But once you’re inside though, the feeling of One Thousand and One Nights ( Arabian Nights), or Aladdin, immediately comes to mind…and if you take a closer look at my gallery photos – I’m rather sure I was caught in the middle of …a treasure chest transport!
Waiting patiently in the heat
Graffitti!
Posing?
A lovely hug
What…is happening?
A Treasure transport!
More of transport in the narrow alleys – here we had to flee into a shop
Historically the souks of Marrakesh were divided into retail areas for particular goods such as leather, carpets, metalwork and pottery. We could roughly see these divisions still, but rather overlaped. Many of the souks sell items like carpets and rugs, clothes, leather bags, and lanterns. Argan oil is popular everywhere.
After a hectic day it is a blessing to come back to our quiet Riad for a delicious Tagine (A specialty of the city and the symbol of its cuisine. We had a local tajine prepared with beef meat, spices and ”smen” and slow-cooked in a traditional oven in hot ashes. )
Then finishing the evening with a slow walk on the roof top. In silence…
…before going to sleep.
SL-WEEK: Reflection
For Sylvain Landry – Reflection. I love the way the world changes in reflections. In the header, a photo from somewhere in China, where many separate worlds are revealed …and the second photo is from my forest at home. My world.
Bäcken lever. The brook comes alive when the ice is gone.
Silent Sunday
Travel theme: Breathe
Ailsa’s Travel theme this week is about taking it easy – and breathe. Nature is the place to be…and that almost says it all for me.
Autumnal crisp air, walking with my dogs and my children – Breathing. In the header, the Swedish lakes and faraway mountains of Lapland.
WPC: Face
A man and his work – both have spectacular faces. Photographed in Figueras, 2011. For more inspiration, click here.
Cee’s B&W Photo Challenge: Shoes or Feet, Human or Animal
Thursday Thoughts – Why I Love…This
Is it because of…
The swings
The game…
…of mice
The clownery
…or because of
The tasty…
…Medieval food
The archery
The musicians
The making of weapons
Children’s games…
or maybe because of…
my longing for a Knight in Shining Armour…
or at least a handsome knight… in any armour!
It might also be for the fair ladies and a love of horses…
…or for the spectacular jousting – and its Swedish Champions!
I do believe my love for this consists of all these things…and then, nothing beats the Hovdala Castle …
and its surroundings.
Ouarzazate – a Moroccan Hollywood
Its name comes from a Berber phrase meaning ”without noise” or ”without confusion”. Ouarzazate is also nicknamed The door of the desert, and the city is capital of Ouarzazate Province of south-central Morocko. To the south of the town is only desert.
The area is well known for its many prominent kasbahs, and nowadays a noted film-making location, with Morocco’s biggest film studios.
Many famous movies have at least some scenes shot here, such as Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Gladiator (2000) and Kingdom of Heaven (2005), as was part of the TV series Game of Thrones.
The arena in the movie Gladiator was right here in this open space, behind the people and their banner.
Ait Benhaddou was originally an old karavan station between Marrakesh and the Sahara Desert. Astonishingly beautiful, traditionally built of clay, straw and dirt.
Today, we can admire the old kasbah in the movies – only four families still live here permanently. The rest of the great kasbah is left to fall apart – but a first class tourist attraction.
The heat made the paths and the stores empty…
…only the cats were on the alert
Wordless Wednesday
Leya 
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