It is sunny and warm around 20°C during the day. At night the temperature drops down to 6°C. So a jumper and a light coat are neccessary after sunset. The medina, old town centre, adjacent to the modern and luxerious Mohammed VI boulevard, is overcrowded and vibrant at day & night.
Marrakech Medina
Arriving at the central Jemaa el-Fna square henna painters, fortune tellers, snake charmers and all sorts of oriental artists are awaiting to charm tourist money wallet. As soon as we unpack our camera a snake charmer comes along and demands obtrusively money for nothing that we have to give up, hand over to him the trash and move further without taking any picture.
Chaotic and hectic the atmosphere. The souqs offer all sorts of handicrafts. Always ready for a business. If you are a souvernir hunter and love to exercise bargaining this is the right place for you: The initial requested price is usually triple the price you should pay for. So keep smiling and do your best.
Pedestrians, carriers, cyclists, handcarts with or without donkey or horse, mopeds, sometimes cars, all try to squeeze through the narrow lanes oft the medina.
There are quiet corners in the huddle of the medina: Medersa Ben Youssef with beautiful ornament to escape the crowd. Or the entrance court of Marrakech Museum nearby for a coffee break. Our touring day ends with lots of new impressions.
Medersa Ben Youssef: A former islamic college
A calligrapher offers his service in the courtyard of Medersa Ben Youssef
Medersa Ben Youssef mihrab: The praying niche facing in direction The holy Kaaba in Mecca
Back to hotel by taxi as we came in the morning. There are petit taxi for short and grand taxi for long distance. The usual game: All the cab drivers require 50 Dirham. No, thanks. We came this morning for 20 as suggested by the hotel. Except one friendly driver: one million Dollars, smile, no, this is just a joke. Pay as you wish and get in. He got 40 Dirham from us, and a big Shukrun (= thank you) as he taught us during the drive.