The more I visit Morocco, the less I feel I have seen of its diverse cities and villages. Each city is unique in architecture, color of buildings and traditions, and there are varieties of dialects, too. Travel and learning in Morocco is endless, as this country promises distinct experiences.
As I stepped into Casablanca airport, I knew I had stepped into a new experience. A miniature of the Mosque Hassan II welcomed me in the entrance lounge, designed with the typical mosaic and architecture, displaying a water fountain with waterfalls projecting from the ceiling.
I looked around and made my way to immigration. A mirage of different colors and people surrounded me: Africans in long colorful saris, high turbans and robes; Arabs in abayas; Europeans and Americans in jeans and T-shirts. Everyone was speaking in their own tongues while returning my smile.
Like me, everyone appeared so happy and eager to step into the world waiting outside.
Even though Casablanca looked promising, this time around my destination was farther south, in Marrakesh. As my airplane took off for Marrakesh, I made sure to look out the window to locate the Mosque Hassan II in Casablanca, which protrudes into the water. "Sayyedaati wa Saadatti (ladies and gentlemen)," the announcement started – yes, we were now landing in Marrakesh Menara airport.
Morocco thrives on tourism, and for good reason. As my car entered into Marrakesh, I stopped talking and took in the red sand, the clay work, the palms, olive trees, cactuses and red buildings.
I was experiencing the city of Marrakesh, built in 1072 by Youssef ibn Tashfine, whose kingdom included present-day Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, large parts of Spain and Portugal and West Algeria. I secretly prided in the fact that this architectural heritage traces back to centuries.
Marrakesh, a.k.a. the Red City, is so called because of the color of its buildings. It is located on the footsteps of the Atlas Mountains. Like many cities in Morocco, Marrakesh is a combination of an old fortified city (the "madinah") extended by a new non-fortified city. Most notable in the madinah is the Djemaa el Fna, a large square blazing with vendors, traditional aromatic water bearers, story tellers, snake and monkey charmers, traditional performers, acrobats, henna decorators, and orange juice and food stalls. This square is surrounded by a giant traditional souk – market of goods and clothes.
In the nighttime, Djemaa el Fna is transformed into lines of open-air restaurants that have chefs dressed in white serving under white tents on tables covered with white tablecloths.
The array of foods decorating each restaurant appears infinite in color and variety. The chefs perform food stunts as they cook in front of hungry tourists and Moroccans.
Difficult to choose a restaurant, I decided I would go multiple times and sit at a different one each time.
The architectural masterpiece from 1184, Masjid Al- Koutoubia, faces Djemaa el Fna. This is the largest mosque in Marrakesh and is recognized for its uniquely-designed minaret. Inside, the mosque boasts a simple and spacious style, allowing 25,000 Muslims to pray in its columned rows.
The road between Koutoubia mosque and Djemaa el Fna has a line of decorated horse carriages waiting for tourists to get aboard and catch a glimpse of the old and new Marrakesh. It is through this ride that one discovers the true beauty and diversity of the buildings, gardens, hotels and sites of Marrakesh.
A 15-minute walk from Djemaa el Fna through a traditional style garden and attractive souk in the madinah brought me to the Bahia Palace, built in the 19th century by Ahmed Ibn Moussa (Ba Ahmed).
Inside this never-ending palace, exquisite gardens and decorated courtyards with fountains are surrounded by palace chambers. Each room and hall has its own theme of breathtaking artwork consisting of carved stucco and colorful mosaics, carved and colorful cedar roofs and ceramic-tiled walls. I felt nostalgic as memories came to mind of Moorish architecture in Spain.
Many tourists have bought villas in Marrakesh, making it full of life all year long. The mountains near Marrakesh are a popular getaway, providing enjoyment of fruit gardens and green pastures near streams and fresh springs. One can choose from Eureka, Oukamden, Imlil and Amezmiz, to name a few.
It is normally a narrow drive uphill, and most visitors park their cars on the road and descend into mountain valleys to picnic in the shade of the almond, apple, peach, walnut, plum, olive and fig trees.
The climb on the soft rocky bed of nearby streams is cooling and pleasurable as each stream winds alongside waterfalls leading to the gushing freshwater spring, which is its origin.
Here, I made sure to drink and collect enough spring water to my heart’s desire, especially since the Atlas Mountains become a ski resort in the winter.
Other cities I visited are Casablanca, Ourzazate and Rabat — but each would make for a short story of its own.
