We're on a train to Marrakech now. It's a 7 hour ride. Time to make some notes about what we've seen. People have been very nice. And very honest - unless their profession includes dishonesty. We were worried about our room safe not working in fes but then we discovered that they didn't even lock our room door after they cleaned it. The people at our hotel were wonderful. Very nice and always smiling even at 1 am when we got in from the airport. They fixed a wonderful dinner for us of lentil soup and pastille. It was delicious.
Our first day in the souks we were kind of lost and in need of an ATM. Will asked a teenaged boy for directions. He left his MP3 player on the steps and said he would show us. We went up and down and circles for a good 15 minutes. I wondered if we were in trouble for a while then decided no because if he was going to,rob us he had plenty of opportunity. He got us eventually to place raccid where there are three banks. The last one took our card finally. We decided to get a can of soda while we were there. Will got this wallet out of his sock and the soda shops owner' 6 or 7 year old son thought this was hilarious. He wanted to guide us around but his big brother tried to stop him. They almost came to blows right there. Dad stopped them. Little boy tried to follow us until he figured out mp3 guy was with us.
We gave our guide a soda and asked him to take us to a shop that we needed to return to. He asked us if we would visiti his family business first so we did. His father sells oils and spices. Wills mom wanted some Aragon oil anyway so we listens to his sales. It was fun and interesting. We bought Aragon oil and will also got some wonderful smelling jasmine oil.
Our friend took us to chez Rajiv, the store we needed to go to. We paid him for his time and he left. Earlier in the day I found some boots I really liked at this store but the left foot was too small. They were going to have it stretched. We also found a beautiful blue bedspread there we wanted to get. They offered us a seat and the traditional mint tea while we waited for the shoe to be finished. Will visited with the owners wife while we waited. Most people here speak French. It's so nice will could communicate with them. English language seems to be a distant third. We chatted with the lady about her sons and their school. She said they attend private school and study Arabic, French and English as well as the other regular subjects. She also complained that her left foot is larger like mine. People are the same everywhere.
Our first day in the souks we were kind of lost and in need of an ATM. Will asked a teenaged boy for directions. He left his MP3 player on the steps and said he would show us. We went up and down and circles for a good 15 minutes. I wondered if we were in trouble for a while then decided no because if he was going to,rob us he had plenty of opportunity. He got us eventually to place raccid where there are three banks. The last one took our card finally. We decided to get a can of soda while we were there. Will got this wallet out of his sock and the soda shops owner' 6 or 7 year old son thought this was hilarious. He wanted to guide us around but his big brother tried to stop him. They almost came to blows right there. Dad stopped them. Little boy tried to follow us until he figured out mp3 guy was with us.
We gave our guide a soda and asked him to take us to a shop that we needed to return to. He asked us if we would visiti his family business first so we did. His father sells oils and spices. Wills mom wanted some Aragon oil anyway so we listens to his sales. It was fun and interesting. We bought Aragon oil and will also got some wonderful smelling jasmine oil.
Our friend took us to chez Rajiv, the store we needed to go to. We paid him for his time and he left. Earlier in the day I found some boots I really liked at this store but the left foot was too small. They were going to have it stretched. We also found a beautiful blue bedspread there we wanted to get. They offered us a seat and the traditional mint tea while we waited for the shoe to be finished. Will visited with the owners wife while we waited. Most people here speak French. It's so nice will could communicate with them. English language seems to be a distant third. We chatted with the lady about her sons and their school. She said they attend private school and study Arabic, French and English as well as the other regular subjects. She also complained that her left foot is larger like mine. People are the same everywhere.
We saw loom workers making scarves. That was really interesting. As we walked through the souk we kept seeing string running between nails up and down alley was. It finally occurred to me that they are measuring the warp for weaving rugs and fabric. What a great way to do it.
We visited the tanneries also. Very interesting how the whole process happens. A gentleman explained the process to us adding a little about his family history of celebrating eid ( ithink that's the holiday). We almost bought poufs from him but his,prices were too high.
In the brass makers area i got tricked by a bait and switch. A man explained how he is Berber and traveled over 200 km by taxi (he lost us there for honesty) to sell bracelets. All silver very fine. Showed me the silver stamp. Suddenly big guys come and haul him away while I have two of his bracelets on my wrist. The big guys escort him to the edge of the square. As he passed us he is winking vigorously. So we followed,him down the street a ways. He said the guild,doesn't like him there because he undercuts the price. I decide to buy one bracelet but of course special,deal for two. So I got two. later I discovered he switchd the real silver for fake. Very sneaky.
On this train ride a young man popped into our section and passed tooth brushes toothpaste soap and razors out to all the are the Arabic people and gave them a sells pitch. very Interesting technique. He was followed shortly after by a woman begging. No one gave her anything.
We visited the tanneries also. Very interesting how the whole process happens. A gentleman explained the process to us adding a little about his family history of celebrating eid ( ithink that's the holiday). We almost bought poufs from him but his,prices were too high.
In the brass makers area i got tricked by a bait and switch. A man explained how he is Berber and traveled over 200 km by taxi (he lost us there for honesty) to sell bracelets. All silver very fine. Showed me the silver stamp. Suddenly big guys come and haul him away while I have two of his bracelets on my wrist. The big guys escort him to the edge of the square. As he passed us he is winking vigorously. So we followed,him down the street a ways. He said the guild,doesn't like him there because he undercuts the price. I decide to buy one bracelet but of course special,deal for two. So I got two. later I discovered he switchd the real silver for fake. Very sneaky.
On this train ride a young man popped into our section and passed tooth brushes toothpaste soap and razors out to all the are the Arabic people and gave them a sells pitch. very Interesting technique. He was followed shortly after by a woman begging. No one gave her anything.
More to come
Susan
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