What is shiba?

I have been drinking at least three mint teas a day since arriving in Morocco. I'm not a big tea drinker. But, hey when in Rome....right?! I even bought an authentic "tea pot set" (complete with the little pot holders) to take home. 

So, for the past week I am thinking this "mint tea" is really just boiling sugar water poured over fresh springs of mint, and that would explain why I like it so much. Wrong. Mint tea is actually green tea (boiling water, two pinches of green tea, two sugar cubes boiled) poured over the fresh mint. What is more mind boggling to me is that I don't like tea. And, I really don't like green tea. But, I love Moroccan mint tea!

Stopping at a small restaurant for a mint tea this afternoon proved very educational. We selected a spot that looked really good for people watching near the Bab Bou Jeloud. (The Blue Gate). The place was called Thami's, and I remembered reading an interview with the actual Thami in my guide book. I met his younger brother and he proceeded to tell me all about mint tea. He reminded me mint tea is originally not from China as the world believes, but of course it is from his beloved country, Morocco. (Then he proceeds to sell me a box of green tea for 10 dh that says in French "Made in China". Ironic.)

Then I was told you can also add "shiba" to the tea as well. "Morrocans really like shiba in their tea." Shiba, they show me, is an herb and you can buy it in the grocery store. I can't place it, so I ask,  "What is shiba in English?" They don't know what it is in English. 

Enter my friend, Google. Shiba is absinthe.  That explains a lot...

Observation on Fridays

Who gets kicked out of a cemetery? Me. Had I taken advantage of "Black Friday" and gone to the souk FIRST, maybe leisurely strolling through the cemetery may have been more acceptable?

I *think* Fridays here are special. All of the ladies seem to wear darker colors today, the streets are not as crowded (maybe the ladies are at home making couscous and the men are at the mosque?), and every restaurant--even the pizzeria and burger joints--serve couscous.

To celebrate this special day, I purchased a jellaba and head scarf, experienced a Moroccan hammam (more later on how this compares to the Turkish ones), and endulged in a real Friday dinner of couscous (with lamb). 

I'm not paying you for directions

I learned a few things today. 

The driving is more crazy here in Marrakech than in Vietnam. Cars don't stay in lanes...not even sure they exist. The bikes and motor bikes are just as dangerous. Parking is a fine art.

Everyone wants to give us directions...and they want to be paid...in Euros. (Hello...we're in Morocco...dirhams, right?!)

Getting lost is unavoidable. There are no street signs. Everything looks the same.  Maps are impossible to follow.

The mint tea is really good and full of sugar. I think I had about 6 already. They are about 15 dh and apparently, the higher you pour the tea, the more impressive it is. Kinnda like "Cocktail"--Muslim style.

Speaking of "Cocktail" I haven't seen any alcohol. I may have to revert back to Erik's tactic on the island in Thailand. There was a can of beer on a table tonight--but after closer inspection...it was "sans alcohol."

Henna tattoos tingle.  (I wonder if they really last 30 days?)

The Djemaa el-fna is tourist paradise. It's the main Square in RAK and filled with drama (dentist pulling teeth and mystics burning frankincense). The name means "Assembly of the Dead" and was originally the site of public executions. Nice.