Our Riad is only 5 minutes away from Jemaa El Fna, the marketplace at the entrance to the Souks, which is the Moroccan equivalent to the American shopping mall, but totally different! There are hundreds of those tiny hole-in-the-wall stores without a name, that sell lamps, shoes, kaftans, dead chicken or laundry detergent that is filled in 1.5 liter water bottles. But not enough, you can also have your moped fixed, you can get a massage, a bathtub or a haircut. And that last thing we started the day with: a haircut for Ted

At the Souks there are many spice stores, that sell tea, frankincense and spices, there are textile-, leather-, wood- or metal workshops, but we haven’t seen a single bookstore!

And then there was this guy who did a great job dragging us to the tanneries, where the berbers from the mountains bring the camel leather for tanning. Of course they only come once a week and today is the day: Berber-camel-leather-tanning-day! We got a bunch of mint to hold under our nose and – YES – I needed that! It was very interesting and extremely stinky…

We were glad to be back in the souks, we ate at a vegan storytelling cafe, where we got lunch, but no stories, and afterwards we happened to find the „Secret Garden“, a wonderful oasis in the middle of chaotic Marrakesch.

This secret garden, „Le Jardin Secret“ is the most ancient riad in Marrakesch, beautifully restored over many years and a tranquil place to relax. And we needed a break anyway; walking around the Medina the whole day is an overload to the senses, not only the smell! The noise, the colors, everything!

Back home, Ted crawling through our front door 😵‍💫

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And if you’re not bored yet, here are a few more pictures…