On our second day in Marrakesh (third in Morocco), we awoke at 7 AM for a mediocre breakfast at the hotel before we set out on our full-day tour of the city. Our first stop was a mosque, where we spent about ten minutes viewing the outside of it. We then headed for a mausoleum (I didn’t pay attention very well), where we spent some time taking pictures and walking through the gardens around it. We then went to a shopping area of Marrakesh, where we had one hour to spend in a gigantic store containing all sorts of things, from antique teapots and jewelry to old-school telephones and keychains. It was slightly expensive, but at least the prices were set; I am so sick of haggling! I hate that it is impossible for me to walk away with a good deal. I spent a fair amount of money at the department-like store and we then went to a palace-turned-tourist-destination. Most of us began to crash at this point and it was incredibly hot; we wandered slowly behind our tour guide, eyes glazed. The palace was absolutely gorgeous and I had my room(s) all picked out; unfortunately, I was not in a very appreciative mood.
After an hour or so at the Moroccan palace, we left for lunch. We walked down a narrow alleyway and through and very smelly market selling live chickens and fresh fruit to get to an upstairs restaurant similar to the one we ate at the day before. It was dimly lit and a bit dingy but very beautiful. We had a meal comparable to the one the day before, although the salad was mediocre and there was no fried cream cheese :[
After lunch and more watermelon (bleh), we set out for the Riad de Epices! It was a Berber Pharmacy and a very lovely place; the walls were lined with jars filled with spices and colorful argan oil (something found ONLY in Morocco) cosmetics and lanterns hung low from the ceiling. We all gathered in a room while the woman who worked there talked to us about the different types of products they offered, ranging from psoriasis cream to sandalwood perfume and spice mixtures. I was floored when I heard the prices; the mint tea I had been dying to buy? $4 for a 6”x3” bag! Buy two get one free!! I loaded up a bigger bag than anyone else and left that pharmacy forty-five dollars lighter. You will all thank me! My favorite purchase was a bag of black grain, which can be used for all sorts of things; the most interesting is congestion: place a teaspoon of the grain in a porous type of paper (or something), then rub it against skin to get it warm. Sniff deeply and congestion is alleviated! I could smell that grain for an hour afterwards.
After we left the pharmacy, we did EVEN MORE SHOPPING at the square we had been at the night before. I bought a gorgeous silver lantern that, while it is a bit ghetto, looks incredible when lit. It was only 10 dollars, and trust me, it was worth it. The harassment and heat were at an all-time high as it was the middle of the day, and I sought refuge back on the bus. While some continued on to the botanical gardens (I wanted to go but I was disgustingly worn out and it cost money I did not have), most of us opted to go back to the hotel. We again congregated at the pool bar before I went down for a nap. We had dinner again at 8 PM, and it was again mediocre; I chose not to go out that night, to the dismay of my peers (“It’s our last night out in our last country and you’re not coming?!”). My roommate was gone for the night and the only thing in English on TV was a scary movie. Even worse, I could not get my balcony door to lock and so I slept with the lights on that night. After so long with a roommate and a ship full of 1,000 other people, I desperately fear being alone again so soon!
The next morning I rose and met the rest of my trip for another pseudo-breakfast (even worse than the ship breakfasts!) before our three and a half hour ride back to Casablanca, where I collapsed in my bed for a much-needed rest before we departed for our last port of call: NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, USA!
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