Marrakesh, Morocco

Still another stunning landscape from the air somewhere over North Africa.

The splendid historic colonial hotel called La Mamounia is owned by Morocco’s king, who spent 7 years (and lots of dinars!) renovating it.  The tile work is just wonderful. From there, Marrakesh was an exciting waypoint, with its 12th century mosque commanding the skyline of the old city.

The Majorelle Garden also traces its roots to the French colonial era; it was resurrected after many years of neglect by the fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and his partner.

The Jemaa el Fna is the central square that draws all kinds of commerce…..

….. including musicians, water carriers, story tellers, artists….. and snake charmers.

Occasionally charming were the sellers in the enormous market, with an unimaginable variety of objects to tempt the innocent visitor….

An actual craftsman shows off his wood-turning skills…..

We are bad bargainers – I don’t do it at all, and Henry does it poorly.  That’s why these guys are smiling!

Vibrant street scenes, exhilarating to walk through….

A donkey “parked” in a garage, watching the passers-by….

This is another place, as many of them have been, where we would have liked to spend more time.  A parting shot, image from the golden age of Morocco (from La Mamounia’s art collection)…

But, alas, our whirlwind trip is coming to a close.  Next we return to our official starting point, Washington, DC.