Into the Souks

Narrow, thatch-covered streets wound into the Souks (shops) of the Medina (central city - old walled portion) of Marrakesh just blocks from our Riad. The souks as we entered sold mostly fresh produce, meats and one lone portable gas pump for the mopeds and small motorcycles allowed into the packed streets.

This is how some of the items for sale enter the labyrinth of the souks.

Donna would later regret her love of animals.

Even though the area was very confusing Frank found his bearings as soon as we located one of the few restaurants in the market to offer a glass of spirits. We all marked that location! However, there were many offers of assistance from "expert guides".

Certain areas of the souks were dedicated to specific goods. To name a few: fabrics, rugs, copper, jewellery, leather, baskets. Jon and I were interested in looking for rugs and fabrics for the new house so we started there. And, pretty much spent our whole day learning about the carpets woven in the Atlas Mountains and kilim rugs that are reversible - fuzzy side for winter, smooth side for summer.

We started in a smaller rug shop than this. But this is a most amazing place. Rooms behind each of the arches led to more rugs piled from floor to ceiling in some places.

We bought the blue rug hanging here and one other from this man. I was amazed that he allowed us to take this photo because it was still Ramadan and men are not allowed to touch women during that time. (I'm not sure if that is a sunrise to sunset kind of thing or 24/7. Either way he was generous to allow us this photo.)

We bought the kilim below

from a young man Frank and Donna have purchased other rugs from in the past. It is from the Atlas Mountains, was sold to us as 70 years old and will be used in our bath at home.

What fun!

And, they met Frank's three criteria for any purchase:
Do I like it?
Is the price right?
Can I get it home?

The final question was the one we were most concerned about. But, since we were working with Karim, Frank's friend, we figured it would be OK. Ultimately, it was. But we had a bit of a scare when the charge on our VISA card was denied and I had to back track through every source I could think of to correct the situation. Thanks go to Jennifer Segura at SC Fuels for getting word to the right people and making the delivery happen.

So, I mentioned lunch with a libation . . . and here we are overlooking the alleyways of the Souk. The awnings and misters were key to keeping cool even though being up out of the alleys gave us a bit of a breeze.

More shopping for poufs and miracle anti-aging oil for me then back to the riad for a nap before a lovely dinner in the hotel.