Morocco

In the Jma-El-Fna square in Marrakech there is always a lot going on with some people performing for tourists in traditional garb (photo 1), some tell fortunes (photo 2) or charm snakes (photos 3 & 4) and do not necessarily have control of the snakes (photo 3). There are also musicians (photo 5), storytellers and lots more.

At night Marrakech (photo 1) has some really good food in the square (photos 2 - 5) ranging from dried produce (photo 3) to brains (photo 4). It is also when girls go round plagueing people to be hennaed (photo 6).

Traveling around Morocco there is some lovely and interesting scenery (photos 1 - 6). The people and places passed on the way are often picturesque. The people on the buses are often quite interesting looking (photo 7).

I decided to spend some time with some Berbers in the Sahara near M'Hamid. The desert there is very photogenic with large dunes and it is undeveloped (photos 1 - 7). At night at camp the guys would all chat and sing into the late hours. I also took a bit of video of Said (photo 8) drumming.

Video

Further east I went to some more desert in Merzouga (photos 1 & 2) which was nice although is much more touristic with mock Kasbahs being used as hotels (photo 3).

In Roman times the areas of modern Morocco, Mauritania and part of Algeria were all part of the province of Mauritania. This was governed from the ancient city of Volubilis (photos 1 - 3). The ruins of which are interesting to look around with some impressive mosaics.

I spent more time than expected in the small attractive town of Chefchouen taking it easy. Although bloody cold at night it had a nice ambience (photos 1 - 7). The town has not changed much to accommodate the tourists, so one can still easily see people living the way they have for a long time. With people selling fleeces (photo 5) and doing their laundry in the street (photo 6). Dotted all over the old part of town are water fountains where the locals get their water (photo 7) as they do not generally have plumbing.