In the Jma-El-Fna square in Marrakech there is always a lot
going on with some people performing for tourists in traditional garb (photo 1),
some tell fortunes (photo 2) or charm snakes (photos 3 & 4) and
do not necessarily have control of the snakes (photo 3). There are also
musicians (photo 5), storytellers and lots more.
At night Marrakech (photo 1) has some really good food in
the square (photos 2 - 5) ranging from dried produce (photo 3) to
brains (photo 4). It is also when girls go round plagueing people to be
hennaed (photo 6).
Traveling around Morocco there is some lovely and interesting
scenery (photos 1 - 6). The people and places passed on the way are often
picturesque. The people on the buses are often quite interesting looking
(photo 7).
I decided to spend some time with some Berbers in the Sahara
near M'Hamid. The desert there is very photogenic with large dunes and it is
undeveloped (photos 1 - 7). At night at camp the guys would all chat and
sing into the late hours. I also took a bit of video of Said (photo 8) drumming.
Further east I went to some more desert in Merzouga
(photos 1 & 2) which was nice although is much more touristic with mock
Kasbahs being used as hotels (photo 3).
In Roman times the areas of modern Morocco, Mauritania and part
of Algeria were all part of the province of Mauritania. This was governed from
the ancient city of Volubilis (photos 1 - 3). The ruins of which are
interesting to look around with some impressive mosaics.
I spent more time than expected in the small attractive town of
Chefchouen taking it easy. Although bloody cold at night it had a nice
ambience (photos 1 - 7). The town has not changed much to accommodate the
tourists, so one can still easily see people living the way they have for a long
time. With people selling fleeces (photo 5) and doing their laundry in the
street (photo 6). Dotted all over the old part of town are water fountains
where the locals get their water (photo 7) as they do not generally have
plumbing.
