For two days we tried to find this infamous fountain Moussaine. We walked around in circles, afraid to ask anyone--you don't dare ask someone--they will expect you to pay them to give you directions. Then they will follow you, walk with you and not leave you alone. (It's the culture, we are told.) Today, I finally said, enough. I asked a shopkeeper. He said "there." Right where we were standing. I guess "there used to be" a fountain. Ugh!
Today felt like a good day to experience a Marrakech taxi ride. This trip is all about trying new experiences. And the way people drive here, it appeared to be an adventure... Apparently, the cabs say they will take you to Point C....but cabs can't fit in those alleys, so they only take you to Point B and you must walk to Point C. You, of course, only find this out once you've reached Point B. (i.e., Ben Yousseff Medersa)
The Ben Youssef was anything but how it was described ("great") We strolled through the important sites that Jacque, our riad host, suggested. The Jardin Majorelle-a gift to Marrakech from Yves Saint Laurent and the Bahia Palais-a grand palace with 150 rooms where some cool guy lived with his four wives and 24 concubines.
I had a wonderful experience at one of herb shops--herboriste. The herb guy spoke Italian! So refreshing after depending on Anja to translate everything from French.
I practiced my "negotiations" in the souks too. I'm still looking for the perfect "outfit"...
