The Red City of Marrakech

Seen from the terrace of one of several restaurants sitting around, the UNESCO world heritage site of Jemaa el-Fna (Arabic, meaning to 'gather and disperse' - similar to Urdu - Jamaa aur Fanaa) is the main attraction in Marrakech's medina, overseen in the distance by the 12th century Koutoubia mosque.

In the morning, the place bustles with snakecharmers and tea sellers. As the evening grows, it is replaced by troubadours, fruit vendors, jugglers and lamp merchants.

Behind the grounds of the Jemaa-al-Fnaa, sprawls the expansive souks. Selling a multitude of wares - in particular, a dazzling array of lamps. Haggling is considered polite and necessary here. You bargain with a 3X reduction in your named price, and learn to accept the outraged expressions faked by the shopkeeper. Ultimately you settle for a 2X reduction, which is your best bet.



As steam rises from the food stalls, the night grows young and music from minstrels fills the air. Quite an atmosphere!

Click to explore Marrakech's bustling alleys