I had the chance to visit Morocco for the first time this January, and it’s one of those places that will stick with me for a long time. We stayed in the heart of Marrakech’s Medina, a maze of narrow alleys that even Google Maps couldn’t make sense of. Our riad was unremarkable from the outside, marked by a tiny nameplate on a heavy wood door no more than 5 feet high. But stepping inside was like entering another world. Light-filled and covered in colorful tiles, tapestries, and handmade woven rugs, it had an enclosed courtyard and a large roof deck with stunning views over the city. It was the perfect place: a peaceful, quiet respite from the noise and bustle just outside.
Enclosed by 12th century fortified walls, the Medina is teeming with people day and night. Colorful stands selling freshly blended fruit drinks sit side by side with snake charmers, souvenir shops, and street performers. Step into one of the labyrinthine souks that borders the central square and you might be (pleasantly) lost for hours, wandering past dozens of sellers offering leather goods, spices, rugs and textiles, and ceramics. You will learn to haggle.
After several days immersed in the buzzy energy of the city, we decided to escape Marrakech and travel to the nearby Agafay desert. On the way, we visited a women’s collective to learn how argan oil is made into basically everything–from a peanut butter-like spread to cosmetics to allergy meds. Once in Agafay, we took the requisite camel ride before ending our day at a Berber encampment for a sunset dinner, dancing, and fire show. It was a truly magical experience.
Back in Marrakech, we took a private cooking class at the home of local chef, Yassine, with his mother assisting. On the menu was chicken tagine, the traditional North African stew seasoned with ras el hanout (a blend of more than 30 spices), and slow-cooked in a cone-shaped clay pot. Our host served us mint tea, teaching us the dramatic high pour, while we waited for our lunch. Served with couscous and bread for sopping up the broth, the home-cooked tagine was the best we had on our trip (and we had a lot of tagine!).
A too-brief stay in Marrakech left me with just a taste of it’s rich culture. My lasting impressions are of bright colors, the scent of spices, old school artisans, and an abundance of cats. I look forward to discovering more of this amazing country.
