Road to Morocco, 1982
This young man did a wonderful job as our guide in Cassa, especially since we were in his country during Ramadan; We were living in Indiana at the time working at Purdue University and the local travel agent said it would be a good time to visit Morocco.
These water sales people are just for tourists, but in the background is the Koutoubia Minaret. I used the location of this minaret several times to help find my way back to the hotel.
We didn’t make many purchases in Morocco but we did hang around many of the souks or bazaars. Also in Marrakech the great square Djemaa El Fna had lots to offer.
It’s a Berber rug made by the Berber people or Amazigh, any of the descendants of the pre-Arab inhabitants of North Africa
The place is still there, but it is now called La Mamounia Palace. Back in 1982 it really was the only place to stay in Marrakech but now there are several 4 and 5 star hotels available.
“Just moments away from Jemaa el-Fnaa Square in Marrakesh, La Mamounia offers the sophisticated luxury and comfort of a five-star palace hotel. Boasting incredible views of the gardens, the Atlas Mountains and the Koutoubia Mosque, the rooms, suites and luxury suites boast all the elegance of a 5-star palace hotel, each with their own interpretation of the Moroccan art of living.”
These places were a rat’s maze of leather goods, copper pots and a place to get fitted for a djellaba, the garb the guy is wearing in the picture. On special occasions men would wear a bernousse or fez.
On the way back to West Lafayette, Indiana we pass a town called Morocco, Indiana. We couldn’t help take this picture. That’s Jeanne asking for a few Dirhams. This trip included some time in Portugal. Maybe we will have some picture from that soon.