Marrakech is like no city I have experienced before. The impression I describe below may be related to my tiredness when we were in the city. It is very subjective and based on the very few hours we spent in the city. I suspect the city has a lot to offer and will definitely visit it again in the future.
The city registers with me on all sensory levels.
It's noisy. It is dirty. The smells change within a few metres (!) between urine, pungent smoke, incense, food leftovers, combustion fumes, dust, deep-frying fat, perfume.
An assault on all the senses. 😅
I am very glad that Ilyass showed me the different and authentic facets of the country before we go to see Marrakesh.
Suddenly, there are almost as many Europeans walking the streets as Marroccans. The selling at the stalls and in the alleys is a little more aggressive. The worst thing in my eyes, however, is a group of entertainers who stand around the food pavilions and take turns singing 'this is Africa' to the tourists and parade around the block with a few instruments, strumming chorus snippets of well-known songs for a small fee 😣.
As the sun sets, the atmosphere on Jemaa el-Fnaa Square changes and becomes more pleasant. Maybe just quieter, I can't describe it exactly.
The vendors continue to offer their wares, but now with gas-powered lamps, illuminating the now dark square here and there with small orange wedges of light. It seems cosy.
A few groups of people form in the square. At first I don't know what there is to see, but it looks like a storytelling session. A storyteller in the middle walks around and talks while the others listen intently.
I would love to know what is being told there. ☺️Læs mere