Cash machines
by MissPiggy83
There are numerous cash machines in the square however not all take major cards. I found out the hard way that before you leave the UK, notify your bank to let them know you're going away on holiday to north africa as your card will only work once then the card will lock itself down as it thinks its been stolen and someone is trying to use your card.
I was informed by friends and colleauges that taking large amounts of euros, sterling and US dollar would be confiscated thus left it until we arrived at marrakesh airport to take money. Big mistake! Was really stressful and looking back in hindsight i would change money at the bureau de change over there. also leaving marrakesh airport, the shops and dutyfree do not use the local currency of dirhams but expects visitors to pay using either euro or sterling so make sure you have enough with you!
Also make sure you have lots of small change as tipping someone 50 dirhams or £3 to find the riad is way too much money. Should only be about 20 dirhams. Plus lots of toilets in tourist attractions requires visitors to pay 1 dirham to use their facilities.
Ouriki, market day
by sachara
We were very excited to have a look in this village at the marketday. When we walked around, it was as if we were back in another era. These pictures are not from 1975, but made in 2000.
It was very crowded in the village indeed, but it was also easy to find some more quiet places at the edges of the village with only a few donkeys and local men around.
Chegrouni : Local food and what a view!
by yoshimi about Chez Chegrouni
Typical morrocan food, you can sit on the terrace and do some people watching! They have vegetarian couscous.
Meatballs/shish kebab: 20 DH/US$2
Tajine/couscous: 40 Dh/US$4 You go there because it's cheap, good, clean and for the terrace.
Pink Walls - a reminder of a wealthy civilisation
by aaaarrgh
The entire central city area of Marrakech is enclosed within solid, tall city walls, finished with local red mud. They run for 16 km!
Considering that the walls were first built in the 12th century, it reminds you what an enormous trading city Marrakech has always been.
There are a number of large gates leading through the walls. I stayed opposite Bab Doukkala, the arched gate to the north of the city.
On the south side of the city is the incredible ornate Bab Agnaou, by far the most splendid.
Marrakech's walls are often full of square holes. Originally I thought these were for birds to nest :-) However, the main reason for these perforations are to control the ventilation of the city. The city is protected from the strong winds and at the same time has a sophisticated medieaval air-conditioning system!
carpets 4 sale - carpet souk
by angiebabe
The souks are arranged according to the goods or services on offer and the carpet souk, also known as Criee Berbere, is in the area north of Place Rahba Qedima,which is a small square with apothecaries and carpet stalls, which used to be where the slave auctions were held until the French put a stop to it in 1912.
The main access to the souks is along Rue Souk Smarrine which the southern end of is flanked by textile and souvenir stalls also interspersed with carpet shops.
As with shopping in souks in general in readiness for the high pressure and hustle that tourists can be subjected to its recommended to take a lot of patience with you! and also to have had an introductory visit to a local Ensemble Artisanal which are government run craft shops with fixed prices and good quality goods. Usually more expensive then the prices in the souks, ie the value of the goods that you need to haggle to get the price down to, but they give you an opportunity to get a feel for the market or an idea of qualities and prices to look for.
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My little friend, aisha
Sandy at City Wall, Marrakesh
It´s alive
bamboo
