Riad Tawanza

Dyers' Souk

by iwys

Souq Sebbaghine or Souk des Teinturiers is the dyers' souk. It is a colourful place where sheets of freshly dyed material hang down all around you. You will probably invited in by one of the shops to watch the dying process, where they might then try to sell you something, like an indigo blu Berber headdress. But, the sales pressure in this little souk is nowhere near as great as in some of the bigger souks surrounding it. You may also be invited to climb up to a roof terrace to get an aerial view of the souk. If you take any photos there though, they will expect a tip.

couscous, lamb tagine, mint tea

by zztop69 about too many

chey mimoun ( 1 derb ben amrane, riad zitoun qdim) serves couscous cheap
cafe de france cheap
jamaa fna street food. cheap

la comptoir fancy and pricy couscous
tajine with lamb
lamb skewer
mint tea

Mederssa Bin Yousef

by tonymcenery

Do not miss this - a rare opportunity for a non-muslim to get inside a madrassa and see how they work. A very interesting experience, though of course the students are long gone. A lovely, gracious example of Islamic architecture, but one also where the inward facing aspect of such architecture serves a special purpose. Religious life must have taken on a very special meaning with the outside world both shut out and largely invisible. There are parallels in Christianity (certain order of monks, for example) but nonetheless it is interesting to wander around this buidling and think about how ones mind might react to studying in such an environment, an environment in which God, learning and isolation from the secular was experienced and shared by everyone in the buidling. A thought provoking place.

Saadian tombs

by Bigjones

A beautiful necropolis that looks more like a garden than a cemetary. It smells like roses and rosemary. There is a superb white datura at the entrance and palm trees. The tombs themselves are richly decorated with coloured mosaics. Inside the mausoleum, the rooms are also richly decorated, with magnificent domed ceilings, stalactite plaster work, intricate carving and marble pillars.

Maroc - poetic

by iris2002

"********************************************"

The dust settles over a slowly cooling city
dipped in lights of the street and the stars
the prayers mingle with the laughters of
young and old --
it's time to celebrate after the sun has set.

In the dark souks the shutters open again
for the late night traders, the ones who avoid
daylight - and stray dogs bark at them,
whilst out on the market square
bright lights and scents of mint
invite to linger

Snake charmers sit on every corner
their repetitive music drifts
across the dark grey stones
that are steeped in blood
and history so old,
I can't comprehend...

At the corner of a little Patisserie
old men prepare for a night of feasting
it's Ramadan - the holy month
and under the cooling night sky the
tempers finally mellow and are
replaced by friendly smiles
relaxed gestures and the odd sing-song

Around the square a hundred scooters
and a hundred horse carriages compete
for space and the air is moist from a
short rainfall tinting the cobbles -
a quicksilver stream.

This will be a night of eating at one table
breaking bread and sharing with family
and friends and even strangers - a joyful night.

But when the sun rises tomorrow,
the fasting begins and another long
swealtering day of thirst and hunger
awaits the ones who now laugh and
bite into juicy pieces of lamb or fish

The cats and birds will pick the bones
clean before the sun awakens to yet
another day of Ramadan.

"*********************************"