A Girls Guide to Marrakech (1 of 2)

At some point in March Elena, Phoebe and I decided that we should go on holiday. We wanted sun, we wanted culture and we wanted a place that would make our parents raise their eyebrows. Just enough danger to be interesting, but not so much danger that we might actually die. Phoebe and I don't exactly have the best track record of travelling: she had her passport stolen in Uganda, and I managed to break my foot outside an airport in Guayaquil, Ecuador. In fact the last time the three of us were together we got so drunk playing UV Ping Pong that I actually dislocated two toes.

So with all this in mind, we decided there was only one place to go: Marrakech, Morocco. 

Having selected our destination of choice things were fairly simple. Flights were booked on EasyJet, and we decided to stay somewhere I'd previously been because a) I knew it was nice and b) the location was amazing. Riad Les Trois Mages (link at the bottom) was a hit - beautifully decorated, within walking distance of the medina and fantastically staffed.

We read the guide books, stocked up on suncream, bought maxi dresses and skirts so we would be respectfully covered... and totally forgot to check if we were travelling during a religious time... We were. It was Ramadan. After a panicked hour of googling and trawling trip advisor we were reassured that yes, we would be able to drink water.


DAY ONE - MONDAY

Having a ridiculously early flight has its benefits - we spent most of Monday in Marrakech which was nice. As we're three students it's always nice to get your moneys worth! We decided that we'd have lunch on the terrace:

Eating our body weight in food, we settled into the serious business of sunbathing before we went for our very first Hammam. A Hammam is a traditional Moroccan experience which basically involves sweating out every ounce of water and then having your entire body scrubbed and oiled. After a days travelling we couldn't think of anything more perfect. We were a little too chicken to try out a public one - and considering the uncontrollable giggles I got when it was just us three - it was probably for the best. Hammams are an extremely important part of life for the locals, and they spend hours there catching up with friends and sharing gossip. 

Having known Elena and Phoebe since I was two and ten, the nudity wasn't much of an issue - although much hilarity ensued when one of us had their disposable pants round the wrong way. We were shuffled into a steam room and stripped of our robes. There we lie exposed on heated stone surfaces whilst a series of lotions and potions were poured onto our bodies. I've never really ex-foliated before, and perhaps I should because I'll never forget the look on Elena's face as she hissed: "look how much dead skin is coming off you!" It was hot, and it was a little awkward. You know when you get the giggles in a situation when you're meant to be deadly serious, or calm and tranquil? And as much as you try, you can't suppress them? Yeah... I got a serious case of those. But giggles and dead skin aside, it truly was a wonderful experience - my skin has never felt so smooth, and it was a cracking bit of bonding with the girls... Here are our before and after shots:

Spot the three awkward Westerners... 

DAY TWO - TUESDAY

Tuesday was probably my favourite day, we went on a tour of Marrakech with a soft spoken guide who provided local knowledge and insight on absolutely everything we asked. I could give a boring lengthy description... But photos are more interesting! 

Koranic School 

Koranic School

Koranic School

Desperately seeking Aladin 

Moroccan Arts Museum

Bahia Palace

Bahia Palace

The Koranic School was stunning - the architecture and detail that goes into the building was just breath taking. The museum as a building was fascinating, the art inside was (personally) a little lacklustre, but I was perfectly happy looking at the floors and ceilings. And Bahia Palace, oh Bahia Palace, the place just stole my heart. Beautiful from head to toe, with these fantastic open squares in the middle.. Oranges just growing everywhere. When I'm rich, I'll have to go back and buy it... Because I'm determined to own something so stunning.

...and the rest to come later ;) 

Important Bits: 

http://www.lestroismages.com/ - where we stayed 

Photo credit - Elena Tucker and Phoebe McElhatton who take far better photos than I ever will.