Last days in Morocco

A view of the painted courtyard of the Hotel Medina.
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Our last days in Marrakech were bittersweet. We enjoyed a few more strolls around the souks, having grasped the knack of ignoring or talking back to the shop owners, as well we managed to reach the Jardin Majorelle. These beautiful gardens have been taken over by Yves Saint Laurent and are a real gem. There is a particular shade of blue paint used on the walls that is really pleasing, and goes well with the green of the bamboo and the water lilies in the pools, and the variety of the flora. It is an oasis in the hot dusty city.

Another view of the painted courtyard of the Hotel Medina, looking up.
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There were some unpleasant moments in the last days too though. Morocco is also a hot tempered country, even though there is almost no alcohol. Men frequently can be seen holding hands, or draping their arms over each other's shoulders drunk on nothing but mint tea and friendship. On the other hand, we probably saw about one fist fight every other day. On the night we arrived, the city bus driver was struck at by a taxi driver and then swarmed by a group of taxi drivers who seemed to find it unfair that people would take the inexpensive bus. Once, while waiting at a bus stop, we saw 2 unrelated fights break out at the same time: 2 shoe shine boys fought each other, and a fight between 2 men that push luggage carts. Another day, while waiting to cross a monstrously busy intersection of 10 lanes of donkey drawn carts, scooters, bicycles, cars, buses, lorries... Erin yelped out in pain: she had been hit with a large stick on her lower leg from behind. We figure that it was an older man who was offended by her exposed legs below her skirt (which was below the knee length). On the last day, we saw an argument between a young woman and a man who was selling tourist trinkets off a blanket on the ground. He started swinging some metal object on a chain at her, which she snatched away and then slapped his head a few times. He picked up an ornamental curved dagger, drew it out of it's sheath and stabbed at her. He didn't seem to make solid contact and she managed to run away. We suspect he didn't really hurt her since her shirt did not show blood, and he did not wipe off the blade before placing the knife back on the blanket for sale.

Stall selling gourds, spices, dried foods, and other sundries.
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Our thoughts on Morocco vary some. Erin found the day to day struggle tiring. Constantly fighting off touts, struggling to not get ripped off at every bus ride, taxi ride, and restaurant. Michael enjoyed it despite those struggles and the dirt. He had a hard time eating at the sidewalk cafes, since beggars will always come up and ask for some of your food, but otherwise everything was an adventure. The strange customs, dress, sounds and smells of the souks, and architecture were always interesting, you just had to ignore the filth and bad smells.