Travelling In Marrakesh

By Author: Adam Anders
Total Articles: 41
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One of the best parts of any visit to North Africa, and most definitely of any journey to Morocco, is Marrakesh. It is the former capital of Morocco, and a lively and bustling city in the modern day. Marrakesh is a special place that travellers are often deeply affected by, not for its sightseeing opportunities, but rather for the kinds of people it attracts and all the unique characters you meet there. I can't imagine how you could have a boring stay in Marrakesh.

The main draw for tourists is the city's Djemma el Fna, the huge central souk, or marketplace. It really is more than just a regular market, it is something akin to a circus sideshow or a travelling carnival. It is an overwhelming place, and it's important to stay alert and not get taken for a ride by any vendors or scam artists, or get pickpocketed. But if you are able to just remain calm and assert your boundaries with people who approach you, the you'll be able to enjoy this gigantic freakfest for what it is. In the area of the market gates, there are cafes with terraces and verandas where you can sit and observe the craziness down below you as you sip ...
... coffee and smoke tobacco from an Arabic water pipe. Around the time of sunset, the buildings of the Djemma turn a haunting combination of orange and blue. After it gets dark, the marketplace and its surroundings are lit up with lanterns, making the unreal atmosphere seem even less real.

The city is punctuated by historical ruins and monuments, and is surrounded by old city walls. Around Marrakesh you will see various towers and fortifications, which increases the desert atmosphere and reminds you that you are in North Africa. Everywhere you go you will encounter traditonal desert ambience, and even though Marrakesh is not a new destination for tourists, it is very far from spoiled and it is a great place to experience Morocco with a touch of big city weirdness.
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