Alice in Wonderland- Less Alice More Wonderland, Marrakesh, Morocco, November 2009

Somehow I got lost in Morocco.  I started out as tourist and seem to have ended up as that tourist.  The tourist that hasn't left yet, who is always in danger of overstaying their welcome.  I used to hold these people in some sort of contempt, on the one hand jealous that they seemed so free of constraints but on the other hand wondering what they didn't have to go home for.  Maybe this was where I went wrong- home doesn't have to be where you grew up...home is where the heart is.  Or is it?  I don't know, as I said I am lost.


Casablanca isn't a magical city, it's not what I imagined Morocco to be- it's large and commercial with skyscrapers and traffic.  It certainly wasn't the place I expected to find the kindest of hearts and the most welcoming of arms, but find them I did.  The problem is it all happened so quickly- one week I was passing through trying to improve my French, the next I was looking for an apartment and thinking about Arabic lessons.


I needed to stop and think, get some perspective or reality or just something as I was clearly lacking all of those.  I went to Marrakesh- the jewel in Morocco's crown- I could think about things while being enveloped in the ancient beauty the city is famous for.  Marrakesh is undoubtedly beautiful; the new city is immaculate with tree lined boulevards and colossal palace like structures true to Morocco's Moorish roots.  There are many gardens scattered throughout, hidden by towering hedges, waiting to be discovered however none are as spectacular as the Majorelle- designed by a Frenchman and saved by none other than Yves Saint Laurent.  Blue walls with yellow details, orange pots line the walkways and plants from every continent.  Perfect to escape the midday heat, shaded by thick bamboos.  

The Plaza Jamaa el Fna is a hub of excitement, the pipes of snake charmers and the tinkle of tambourines invade your ears and glittering food stalls of dried fruits tantalise your appetite.  Every which way people are plying their trade, inviting you for just one look, showcasing bags, scarves, hats and shoes in every colour of the rainbow, turquoises, pinks, purples, blue, greens. The warmth of the day has only slightly dissipated so the night quivers in the shadows.  I knew I couldn;t stay but at that moment I was happy not to go.