Back to Marrakech
I had big things planned today: immersing myself into the Moroccan way by wandering around the Medina and exploring the back alleys of Marrakech. Huh huh, more back alley references...
Following a mammoth 12 hour sleep I visited the Marjorelle Gardens which is a very distinctive private garden, turned monument to Yves Saint Laurent. Much of the buildings are painted in a vibrant cobalt blue (I believe it is called Marjorelle Blue). There are numerous clay flower pots all painted strikingly bright colours and a fantastic mix of exotic plants sprouting every which way. A very relaxing way to spend 30 minutes or so.
Next stop the Musee du Marrakech. It's a municipal museum so should be well signposted to help tourists find their way there. My problem is that I was approaching the museum from the north which meant braving the Souks. "The Souks, oh the charm and magic of the Marrakech Souks!" I hear you call in unison. Well let me tell you about the 'magic' of the Souks.
The Souks are a series of dark, narrow back alleys (hee, hee) that are lined on both sides with shops selling all manner of produce. From spices, tangines, meat to shoes, motorbikes, decorations. They sell it all for tourists and locals alike. Now add some pedal bikes weaving in and out of the crowd. Now add some motorbikes that bump their way through the crowds spewing thick, oily, blue smoke into your face. Remove road signs. And price tags. Now make every shopkeeper treat you like a walking ATM. And you're beginning to get close. The starting prices are 5-10 times the fair price of what they are selling. It really is like walking through Woolworths suffering from hyperinflation and all the sales assistants replaced by that X-Factor Idol pillock Chico.
For example, I would quite like to buy a Moroccan lantern or a tagine. According to my guide fair value is about 50 DH each (GBP 5). And according to the rules of bartering their starting price is anywhere up to 500 DH, ie x10 fair value. Nuts. And as soon as you show interest in buying anything they flock around like pigeons to a tourist with bread crumbs. One just wants to say "fck off, and you trying to sell this crap or not?" And this happens everywhere; tedious isn't a strong enough word.
And no, I never did find the buloody musee!
