São Paulo – One cannot say that he knows Morocco before having been to the cities of Fez and Marrakech. The souq of the ancient city of Fez, with its narrow, seemingly endless streets, transport tourists back to the Middle Age. Goods are transported on the backs of donkeys as their owners shout their way through these narrow streets, home to the most traditional souq in Morocco, where the most beautiful and interesting typical items from across the country are found.
Whether it is pictures of Koran texts, handmade handkerchiefs, bottles of argan oil prepared with cashew nuts ground in small crushers by local women, or the famous babouches, all goods in Fez paint a portrait of Morocco, which is a mixture of the Arab and Berber cultures – or Amazigh, as they call themselves.
Upon entering any of the countless shops in the souq, tourists must not be ashamed to bargain for the price. It is completely normal, and merchants already expect to hear a request for a discount. After a good round of negotiation, the visitor may take home the product for less than half the original price. And once the deal is closed or during the negotiation, if the merchant offers “alcohol-free whisky,” there is no need for tourists to worry: it is just the local way of inviting them for tea.
One of the main attractions in the Fez souq is the tannery. The first challenge is finding it, because there are no signs, but with the merchants’ help and some patience, visitors end up finding the place, which is one of the most interesting tourist spots in the market.
At the entrance, tourists receive a few branches of mint to smell on, because the place has a strong odour. After a few flights of stairs, they arrive at a veranda that has been prepared to receive visitors. From up there, the sight is very colourful, with several tanks filled with ink made from natural dye, at which men hand-dye the leather that will later be used to manufacture purses, coats and shoes, sold at the tannery shop. Natural leather can also be seen drying on the walls alongside the tanks.
But if the best market in Morocco is located in Fez, the main tourist attraction in the country is located in Marrakech.
The Jamiaa al Fena is the heart of the city, and brings together street artists who perform on a daily basis, be it dancing, singing, or showing off the skills of their animals, such as monkeys and cobras. Aside from feeding the hundreds of tourists with meals cooked on the spot, the food tents also make for a nice view for those atop the restaurants and ice-cream parlours surrounding the square. The countless lights and the smoke coming out of the stoves decorate the night in the centre of the city.
Marrakech has one single colour, red. All of the city’s buildings are painted that colour, but the beauty of local architecture turns each building into an attraction worth being photographed. For those who like other colours, though, the Marjorelle Garden is a sight not to be missed.
Built between 1922 and 1962 by French painter Jacques Marjorelle, the garden has its walls painted navy blue, with hundreds of plants that adorn the place and charm the tourists. After the painter’s death, the garden was purchased by Yves Saint-Laurent. Presently, the site also hosts a memorial paying tribute to the designer.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
