Shopping at the Souk in Morocco

And now it's time for my final blog on Morocco. I always love to check out the market scene everywhere we travel--you see a real slice of life that way, and that was certainly the case in Marrakech, and the souk we visited there. 

My only disappointment was that there was not much shopping time in our schedule, so I had to fly through the market, picking up just a few things, all along wishing I could shop for more.

So if you were shopping, would you pick up some pottery made locally:

perhaps a couscous bowl

or a tagine?

Berber carpets were everywhere, some you had to dig through

and others in stacks daring you to pull one out for closer examination.

Your taste buds are definitely teased with spices,

nuts and fruits,

chickens,

candies

and colorful sweet and savory snacks.

Leather shoes could be found everywhere 

you glanced,

and the basket bags were intricately decorated.

Fancy a hat 

or a scarf anyone?

The fabrics were a rainbow of color

and so tempting to the eye, even if you had no idea how you would use them.

Maybe you'd fancy a caftan

or two?

And many went home with one of the ubiquitous silver tea pots

and tea glasses of every hue.

What would you place in your shopping bag?

So long Morocco--hope we meet again someday.

Moroccan Design

I couldn't help but be captivated by the Moroccan style we saw on our recent trip.

Intricately painted tiles,

geometric patterns, and

beautiful pottery all blend together to make the style so visually pleasing. Moroccan style combines the best of Moorish and European influences, and although the style has been around for centuries, it has recently gained popularity in the US, especially with well known retailers such as West Elm and Pier 1 featuring samplings in their shops.

On this trip, I was particularly fascinated by the doors. This one, with two door knockers, is especially functional. The bottom knocker was for someone on foot--the top one for someone on horseback. 

Note the colors, 

designs,

and the carvings

so typical of the region.

Also fascinating to me were the Moroccan lanterns sold everywhere,

many times with colored panes of glass,

and found in all shapes and sizes

at the local souk (market)

or even in the shops on the street.

Just one more fascinating side of the country of Morocco!

Would you ever consider adding a Moroccan touch to your own interiors?

Next blog, the souk--the final installment in my Moroccan series.

The Soul of Morocco

When you travel, don't you find that to truly feel the soul of a place, you have to get to know its people?

Looking into the eyes of the people in the street,

and watching them as they carry on 

their daily walk of life

can begin to reveal the spirit of a place. Much more than its architecture, food, or sights.

Don't you love the smile of this baker

who bakes for those who bring their bread to him?

And the passion of the shoemakers who make thousands of shoes in a lifetime and take time to speak or nod as you walk by.

The mothers who provide food and nurturing for their young.

The gals who gather in the square for a little socializing

and a henna tattoo.

Yes, the soul of a place is only truly revealed

in its people. The brotherhood of man--

all God's creatures. 

 “Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.” – Maya Angelou