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This is where you stick random tidbits of information about yourself.
Age 23, living in sin in Twickenham with Cheesy
Likes
Movies
Books
Writing
Theatre
Hugs
Kittens
Chess
Scrabble (mostly beating Cheesy's butt)
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Dislikes
Vegetables
Arguments
Cleaning
Trashy TV
Pretensions
Public Transport
Pets
Rabbits-Bambi, Fern, Sooty, Pippa-all deceased
Dog-Sammy-deceased :(
Fish-CatFlap-recently (and finally!) deceased
Cat-Tiggy-still scratching
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Technically Rachel
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Thursday, September 28, 2006
So – I have actually been doing stuff. There’s been an influx of people now which has meant some socializing, and actual leaving of the hotel. Yay, me. I am now getting to know Marrakech quite well – and that will be the key to me spending time alone there. Knowing where’s safe, where I can go and sit and watch the city go by without being harassed. When I comment to people that I find it difficult to go around by myself, I get that insincere sympathetic look. They want to feel sorry for me, but don’t really get what the problem is. These people are usually men. However, wandering around the alleyways of the Medina the other evening with Cheeky Irish, strolling past benches of straggly looking men watching us closely, Cheeky Irish suddenly commented that yes – it would be a nightmare for a girl here alone. That said, when he leaves next week I know I’ll be able to wander the Medina by myself – because by then I’ll know the places to go, and more importantly not to go. So all is well in the Rachel-Discovers-Marrakech territory.
Bartering is actually quite good fun too – there’s a playful teasing to it, it’s almost like people winding each other up. It’s all theatre, and that I can definitely relate to. While I have been here I’ve bought 3 tunics, some trousers, a head scarf and a ornamental thingy – all bartered down, but probably not as low as it could go. But as long as I’m happy with the price what does that matter?
Every day and night the Djeema El Fna (the main square in the Medina) is full of snake charmers. Genuine cobras (no doubt defanged) writhing about looking sinister, and piles of pythons sleeping in the sun. As yet I’ve not been very close – I want to get a good look as it’s rather fascinating but you know the minute you’re within grasp of the owners of the snakes their gonna try and put one of those bloody pythons round your neck and try and get 50 dirhams out of you for the privilage of being frickin terrified. There are also monkies – which look particularly unhappy and mangy.
I wish I spoke the language so I could partake in the Storytellers. Here, with a little lamp old men sit surrounded by people, telling stories. That’s all it is – no belly dancing, music playing, flash tricks or animals – just a guy telling a story, and people sitting around captivated. I love that it’s a pass time here and wish I could experience it properly.
Went eating at the weekend to a place called Café De La Post. An old Post Office coverting into a restaurant – it feels more like an old Savannah ranch house and has such a lovely nostalgic feel to it. It’s the kind of place I think I’d prefer sitting and whiling a day away rather than having a meal – I hope I will give that a try before I go.
Eating has been more functional than inspiring lately as me and Cheeky Irish randomly try places out – neither of us know where the heck to go and end up at little cafes that tend to have ratty cats snoozing out on the canopies. That said, the food is always excellent, filling and we have lovely views of the Djeema El Fna and the Koutubia Temple. The mood in the evenings are great at the moment too – it’s very quite from around 6.30 to 8.30 as people hear the siren announcing the end of fasting and go home to eat with their families (I love this siren – it’s like an air raid siren, but I believe made up of chanting). At 9ish, the streets are full again with people only just gearing up for the night of eating, drinking and doing whatever else they’ve been deprived of during the day. It’s a nice atmosphere.
3:31 pm
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