Day two in colourful Marrakech....
So I must admit, it was all very different on TV. The TV documentaries didn't tell you about the constant flow of various types, sizes and colours of pedal cycles and motorcycles that whizz around the ever so narrow streets of this small pink city which is already packed with people of all ages and cats (plenty of them). This city is obsessed with cats, but that's for another day. In the first 30 mins of us being outside, my husband nearly got ran over by both a motorcycle and a pedal cycle...
What they also don't tell you is to haggle when buying. First things first, never, ever pay for the first price you're given in their markets, otherwise known as "Souks". If you do, they will pass you on from one market stall to another and squeeze every penny out of you without you even realising. If you feel confident, as a general rule, if they tell you a price, offer them half and negotiate from there. In my view, whatever price we, customers say, we have it for that... although the place is heaving with shoppers, but somehow supply exceeds demand in this market.
Secondly, don't assume the market is cheaper than the shops. On the contrary, we visited what looks like a flash shop (indoors with air conditioning and western looking tills) and the prices are cheaper than the market stalls and the quality seems to be better. Although you can't haggle in this particular shop, comparing prices, it seems to be cheaper. We're heading back to this shop tomorrow.
Right, advice over, back to the title of this blog. In our walks today we walked into a tiny shop. It couldn't have been any bigger than 2x3 metres. This shop was the place where the gentleman made his jewellery and sold it. It was a very small shop with full of character, his work bench was tiny and was to the left of the till and everywhere else was beautiful silver necklaces, bracelets, ear rings decorated with various colourful stones. Once he realised we were from England, firstly he said "welcome" (as they all do) and then he kept repeating "Small shop, small price" comparing to a similar shop back at home, yes the prices were "small" but we held back the urge to buy everything, for now, until we visit the crafts shop tomorrow.
It's been a long day today, apart from touring the Souk (again), we also had a camel ride. They are funny creatures that chew constantly. I also didn't realise how tall they are until I sat on one.
We had a tour guide, or so he says he was, accompanying us for the first part of our day, and we were told we're very lucky its only +35 degrees today. Normally it's in the 50s!
In other news, we have 2 new couples move into the place we're staying, mother and daughter from France and a couple from Germany. I will be quizzing them tomorrow on the best places to visit in Berlin as it's our next stop in a few days time! Also, my husband has been renamed. From Emil he is now known as "Moroccan citizen" Mustaffa.
I am not exaggerating by saying, slowly, but surely this city is growing on me by it's unconventional lifestyle, polite but loud people, pink and terracotta buildings, the most amazing front doors....
Good night, the fan is on and I am off to bed...
An update to follow tomorrow, if we've not been melted by the constant African sun!
(Souk after sunset, at it's busiest)
