pinkbirdflies

Joined an Urban Adventures tour to get an overview of Marrakech before taking it on on my own! Starting at Jemaa El Fna we visited the Koutoubia Mosque which I have since heard calling all Muslims to prayer at various times of the day. We walked through the old Medina and through the Jewish quarter to the Saadian tombs and Badii Palace. We took in a modern photographic exhibition on the people of Marrakech and finished passing through the markets and souks. Much more touristy than Fes and there are a lot of tourists recognisable. Marrakech is Morocco’s largest city and I have noticed the interpretation of Islam in varying degrees in regards to the womens’ style of dressing. Morocco is a moderate Islamic country where the majority are Sunni Muslim. Women wear the headscarf mainly although a few don’t and the other few still cover up with a face scarf style. The girls wear modern clothes although covered  bodies and headscarves.

Early morning Muslim call to prayer echoing across the valley, hill top mosque, almond trees, spectacular views of houses clinging to a hillside in various shades of blue and white with terracotta roofs, gushing mountain stream, narrow alleyways, men and women in traditional clothing, womens heads covered with scarves, blue and more blue, chickens, donkeys, tiny packed shops,  delicious tagine with prunes,almonds and beef, more mint tea, rugs and carpets, dried figs and dates, henna tattoos…