marrakech diaries: chaos, mint tea, and a sunburn i didn't see coming
it's hot. like, really hot. i just checked and it's 29.55°c there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. the air is dry enough to make your skin feel like parchment, but the breeze off the rooftops? chef's kiss. i'm staying in the old medina, where every alley smells like cumin and motorbike exhaust, and every third person wants to sell you a carpet you definitely don't need. someone told me that the best tajine in town is at this hole-in-the-wall called café clock - apparently the camel burger is wild. i haven't tried it yet, but i'm taking notes like a nerd.
anyway, the weather data says 15% humidity and 1009 pressure, which basically means you'll sweat through your shirt before you find the riad you booked. speaking of which, if you get bored, casablanca and essaouira are just a short drive away. heard essaouira's wind is perfect for windsurfing, but also for ruining your hair. worth it.
"don't trust the first guy who offers to show you the way. he's probably taking you to his cousin's spice shop."
that's what a local whispered to me at a cafe, and honestly? solid advice. i wandered into the jemaa el-fnaa square at sunset and it was pure sensory overload - snake charmers, drum circles, and someone selling what looked like fried scorpions. i didn't try them. maybe tomorrow.
i'm writing this from a rooftop terrace with a mint tea that's more sugar than tea, watching the sun dip behind the atlas mountains. the call to prayer just started echoing through the city, and honestly, it's the kind of sound that makes you forget you're sweating through your shirt. if you're into photography, the light here is chef's kiss. i've been using my phone mostly, but a friend recommended checking out some local camera shops on tripadvisor if you need gear.
i keep thinking about how someone said the sahara is only a night's drive away. like, you could be sandboarding by tomorrow if you wanted. but for now, i'm just trying to survive the heat and not buy another leather pouf. (i bought one yesterday. it's in my hostel room. i regret nothing.)
if you're planning a trip, bring loose clothes, a refillable water bottle, and a sense of humor. also, download yelp - it's weirdly useful here for finding places that aren't just tourist traps. and maybe don't wear white. trust me.
anyway, i'm off to find that camel burger. wish me luck.
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