Sea of Lights
MOROCCO | Wednesday, 27 May 2015 | Views [524] | Scholarship Entry
I must admit I was quite ignorant of what the city of Marrakech would offer me when I set out to visit Morocco. Now Casablanca, that I always wanted to explore- blame it on that Humphrey Bogart. Indeed it was everything I hoped it’d be. I stepped into Rick’s Café & felt like I had traveled back in time. I could’ve sworn I heard Sam play that legendary piano too. I did go shopping at Anfa Place, which led me to discover a narrow passage to the part of the Atlantic that wasn’t at all commercialized. Two hours of unperturbed solitude- heaven for a Pisces from a landlocked country. But Marrakech so easily became my number one favorite destination, here is why.
The sun was already setting when i arrived at the city & made my way through the narrow streets of old medina. I felt very pleased with the sights I discovered and was already content- so I thought. I walked through some parts of the city which were very reminiscent of Istanbul, as I contemplated heading back to my hotel. It was then that I discovered the very famous square of Jeema el Fna. I just turned a corner & there it was, a sea of lights, distant mix of music, indistinguishable chatter & a crowd of people swarming about. I was instantaneously overcome by the feeling to just walk towards it.
I noticed a number of people standing in a circle, cheering & applauding at something when I first stepped into the square. I pushed my way through the crowd to discover an old man with a chicken sitting on his head, attempting to slowly place a pigeon on top of it. Sold! I was curious to see what else the other circles harbored.
I walked through the little shops & restaurants declining invitations to step in every step of the way. That’s not all the invite I received. For an unaccompanied young girl who always reciprocates a smile, Moroccan men can be quite the charmers. I was flooded with persistent requests to walk together and offered a couple of jewelry gifts; which I was told were filled with magic powder that would make me fall in love with whoever gave it to me. Needless to say, I declined. But I did end up getting a Henna tattoo from one of the women who casually walked with me a little bit, reached out for a handshake & quickly started drawing the cutest patterns on the back of my hand.
I was mesmerized by the vibrant colors, all those lights and the wonderful aroma. I came back to that square every day of my stay. I barely scratched the surface of Marrakech & I would go back in a heartbeat.
Tags: 2015 Writing Scholarship
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