Marrakech, August 2012

The plus side of visiting Marrakech when the average daily temp is 41 degrees is that there are fewer people to elbow out of the way in the souqs. Or so we thought. Turns out every Marrakshi and his pet snake/monkey (true story) also shops for inflatable lilos and Berber Viagra around the Djema el Fna, so while tourists were on the thin side, crowds were not. This made our visit feel all the more authentic. We couldn’t get enough of the freshly squeezed orange juice, the haggling, the delicious crispy flaky pancakes oozing with cactus honey accompanied with sweet mint tea, the frenzied squeal of the snake charmers’ horns, the locals saying ‘Merhaba’ (‘Welcome’) with smiling eyes, the heavenly lamb tajines, and the heat. Okay the last part is a lie, it was dirty, sweaty, chafing hot. But our riad – with its thick walls, shaded inner courtyard and swimming pool – was like our own private oasis where we retreated every afternoon to escape the noise and the chaos ... just for a few hours and then we were back out there mingling, bargain hunting and soaking up the carnival atmosphere. Sadly, Adi could not be convinced to buy a pair of yellow babouches (Moroccan slippers). The most exotic place we’ve visited for sure.