Dust & Echoes in Marrakech: A Slightly Broken Trip
okay, so, 1283679. that’s the timestamp on my phone when i seriously started questioning every single decision i’d made in the last 48 hours. 1524404748 - that’s the time i realized i’d left my passport in a bowl of couscous. seriously. couscous. it was a sticky, fragrant disaster.
Marrakech. it’s… intense. like, aggressively intense. the air hangs thick with spice and something vaguely animalistic, and the sun just punches you. the humidity was clinging to everything - 67%, they said. felt like 11.2, honestly. the pressure was 1015, which is… fine, i guess? i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing.
I’m pretty sure i spent most of yesterday wandering around the souks, getting hopelessly lost and trying to haggle for a ridiculously ornate teapot. i think i ended up paying three times what it was worth, but hey, it’s a souvenir, right? a very, very expensive souvenir. i overheard a guy - probably a carpet salesman, judging by the dramatic sighs - telling another that the best deals are always found after midnight, when everyone’s gone home for tagine. someone told me that...it’s a lie. it’s a beautiful, elaborate lie.
My accommodation? a riad tucked away down a ridiculously narrow alley. it was…rustic. let’s go with rustic. think peeling paint, a slightly aggressive rooster named Habib, and a courtyard filled with orange trees. it wasn’t bad, though. it had character. and a surprisingly good mint tea selection. i’m pretty sure Habib judged my dance moves.
I tried to take some photos, you know? for the ‘gram. but honestly, the light is insane. it’s either blindingly bright or swallowed by shadow. i managed to snag a few decent shots of the *Djemaa el-Fna at dusk - snake charmers, storytellers, food stalls overflowing with grilled meats. it’s a total sensory overload.
Speaking of food, i’m still recovering. i ate tagine, couscous, pastilla, and enough pastries to induce a sugar coma. i heard that the best pastilla is at Nomad Marrakech, but i went with a stall near the Koutoubia Mosque - it was…fine. definitely fine. i’m not saying it was amazing, but it kept me going.
I spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to find a decent coffee. like, real coffee. not the sugary, milky stuff they serve everywhere. i finally stumbled upon a tiny cafe called Café des Épices - it was dark, smoky, and the barista looked like he hadn’t slept in a week. he made a phenomenal espresso. it was worth the hunt.
I also got completely lost trying to find the Bahia Palace. i ended up in a spice market, surrounded by mountains of saffron, cumin, and turmeric. it smelled incredible, but also slightly overwhelming. i’m pretty sure i bartered for a handful of rose petals for a ridiculously low price.
Seriously, if you’re planning a trip to Marrakech, be prepared to get lost. a lot. and don’t be afraid to haggle. and definitely bring comfortable shoes. you’ll be doing a lot* of walking. i heard that Riad Yasmine is gorgeous, but booked solid months in advance.
And for the love of all that is holy, don’t leave your passport in a bowl of couscous. it’s a rookie mistake.
I’m heading to Essaouira tomorrow. if you get bored, Essaouira is just a short drive away. it’s supposed to be windy and have a really cool vibe.
Okay, I need more coffee. and maybe a nap.
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