Our morning began with a walk into the Mellah, the Jewish quarter, that led us to the Bahia palace. It was a large building with several interior courtyards and some impressive cedar painted ceilings. It was the home to an important administrator and his numerous wives. No furniture remained because the French had removed it during their occupation but the walls and ceilings and marble work were all intact. We also had a separate guide who told us about his own family and how they were strongly intertwined. It’s a long story.
We then took touk touks (little motorcycle cabs) to the inner marketplace at the edge of the large square. We walked slowly past a ton of vendors often clustered by what wares they sold. It was important to stay close together so as not to get lost. Our last stop before lunch was a Berber rug showroom that was just overwhelming in its offerings. But most of us, myself included, ended up buying a rug. There were all colors and designs. Tough choices.
We had lunch in a cafe overlooking the square. Then we continued shopping for whatever had caught our eye earlier. We ended in a spice store that was a great spot for gifts for cooks. I bought lots!
When we returned to our Riad, Lauren, Patricia, Maria and I got to ton the roof to drink beer that Lauren had bought in Rabat. When we ran out, I figured we could go out and buy wine BUT this is a very Islamic place where drinking is uncommon and liquor stores are not plentiful. Undeterred, I looked on the internet and found a Carrefour market which seemed near enough to walk and sold wine. Lauren and I set off with Google maps plotting our route. Needless to say, we don’t read Arabic which is how all street signs are written. Then Google seemed as confused as we were. So we took a taxi. That worked. When I walked into the mall I asked where the Carrefour store was located. One flight down I found it. Then I had to find the wine section which was small but adequate. I got back up to the street hoping that Lauren had convinced the taxi driver to wait. But he left. So we grabbed another cab back to the square.
We had enough time left before dinner to have a glass and run out to a restaurant down the street that had live music. It was a nice spot with ok food and some nasty people handing the entry. We had fun anyway. Lots to do tomorrow.
The Adventures of Anne 