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Despite the bad experiences of the previous day, I suggested that we go to the souq because that is considered the main attraction in Marrakech. After a slow stroll through the alleys, a nice breakfast and a short rest in a park, we went into the lions’ den. After Wolfgang had bought two pairs of “Berber Adidas” (leather mocassins) in a shop facing the plaza, we delved into the narrow alleys of the souq. At first, we managed to pass some shops unnoticed by the dealers but soon one of them lured us into his shop and in a wink of an eye, we were both dressed in his merchandize. Wolfgang couldn’t help but openly admire some of the dresses and the dealer persisted until he had bought a (beautiful) blouse for his sister and the stuff he’s wearing in the picture for 1100 dirhams (€ 100.-). I really liked the (utterly useless) jalaba and bought the same myself, haggling so hard (he started at 900 and I paid 300 dirhams) that the dealer showed us the door with a grim look on his face. Still, we had spent far too much money and were practically broke, after only 4 days. We could change some Euros at an ATM but didn’t realize that we barely had money for the next three days if we continued sleeping in hotels and to eat out. |
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This video nicely shows how we felt after our visit to the souq: |
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The narrow, fascinating alleys in the Medina (walled inner city) of Marrakech. |
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To bring the day to a happy ending, we had dinner on the terrace of a restaurant Called Les Premices above the teeming crowd on Jemma el-Fna. We had two mint teas (DH 10), two cokes (DH 10), I had a gaspachio of tomatos (cold tomato soup) and an omelette with herbs (DH 47) while Wolfgang had a Tajine au poisson with leathery fish (DH 50). click on the picture, to download the film: |
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Marrakech is a nice town, but you have to realize that you either have to be very rich or very rude to get out of there without spending a lot of money. I found it very helpful to hide my money and show the dealers that I only had very little left (which they took from me anyway, whithout hesitation). The dealer in the clothes shop even made me empty my pockets because he suspected me of hiding more money (which I did). One broad hint: if your travelling companion claims to have no money left in a shop, do not under any circumstances offer to lend him any money, even if he asks for it. |
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