Thursday 12 March 2009

Marrakech in March 9: The aftermath.

(If you have clicked the picture to read about Marrakech, scroll down to the bottom of the page to start with the post there called 'Marrakech 1' and work your way up to this one. There are 9 altogether))


Despite worrying about not being able to haggle in the souks, I managed to come home with a healthy cross section of all they had to offer.


My room mate said I was talking in my sleep.
'Too much choice!'
But after my initial purchase of a carpet,yes..I succumbed, and the above gorgeous green basket at knock down prices, I was away.
A 'Silver' mirror, bought in a flurry without much choosing and I am sorry its almost the same as one my friend bought a year earlier, but once we looked at it the bargaining began.

At the carpet warehouse I thought I would not be able to able to afford one, and indeed, when I saw my hearts desire and was told it was 'Only one hundred and fifty quids' I said as much.


But I needn't have worried as I eventually paid one sixth of that.

Its beautiful, woven with silk in all my favourite colours.

But I forgot to ask if its a kilim and where it was woven.

These little beads must have taken someone ages to make, and I do feel somewhat ashamed of bargaining till they became affordable.


Then I spotted the 'Berber' bag. So unique and so decorative.
There were not many places selling these so I was excited to have something original.
A deal was struck and we were both happy.

These wooden utensils are so lovely as was the maker who did not ask a ridiculously high price so I paid the price he asked.


In the Berber pharmacy we lost all sense of value..was it the result of the shoulder massage or the hard sell?
We bought cold sore cream 'Better than Zovirax' they also had a product 'Better than Immodium' and, while not exactly 'a pill for every ill,' they at least had a 'bag of mysterious organic material for every ill.' Their fingers whizzed over the calculator keypads and some unexpectedly high numbers appeared and we handed over our Dirhams by the hundred.

But somehow, like the bottle of Ouzo you bought because you drank it in a water's edge taverna on a Greek Island, does not taste quite the same on a cold wet day in Lancashire, the creams and rose cologne and block of fragrant amber that smelled so delicious in Morocco, smell sickly and overpowering back home.
An unexpected find for my two addicted-to-irony grown up sons was this.

A train set.
Tootling round the little track were, in one carriage weilding a huge rocket launcher..
George dubya,

and in the carriage in front?


Guess who?
Well I've never seen one before I just had to get them one each.

Smaller trophies were given (for a little monetary consideration )
A piece of mosaic from the pile being cut by a man at the Saadian Tombs, and the weaver in the picture in the textile post allowed me to buy one of his spools of cactus fibre threads.

On the return journey, with a baggage allowance of 20kg I hit 19.9!



I also bought some leather slippers for my husband, which when opened almost made us high with the smell of the glue, and two woolly hats which are far too big for anyone, a lovely pair of woven scarves, and some Moroccan pastries at the airport.
Ever so hygenic.
He put on a plastic glove to help, and proceeded to hand out samples with the other hand.
Since I got home I have made some felt beads for my friend like the ones here. It has made me realise how much time and effort they take and I feel rather bad about haggling.

These aren't even as good as the ones in the soukh.


As well as all these treasures I brought home some lovely memories and its been a pleasure to share them here. I will print these posts so I can keep them as my album and journal of a very special experience.
I didn't really expect anyone to be very interested so having your comments has been a bonus.
Thank you.
The 'Prime mover' in making this little trip happen is my friend Margaret who I want to encourage to resume her lovely blog.
Thank you Margaret, for getting me to Marrakech.
PS
watch this for a very antiseptic but evocative view.



Nuture Your Soul - Visit Morocco

28 comments:

Jude said...

Thank you Jackie, I had a wonderful time.... brought it all back!
I'll be boring you with my trip to London when I get back next week end, notvery exotic,hmm?

menopausalmusing said...

Ooooooooooh! Lovely, lovely, LOVELY. I have a similar basket and like you, I found it very hard indeed to haggle. Your other "treasures" are wonderful. Thank you for sharing. x

Jenny said...

I would love to have brought home that selection of treasures, they are lovely. I may have to look online at possibilities of a short trip?? Would you reccomend your hotel?

maggik1 said...

I can only say "It was indeed a pleasure!" Haven't you got some lovely things when you see them all together? I feel like going back and indulging myself! I love my little purple bag - and I will blog soon.

Michala Gyetvai (Kayla coo) said...

Beautiful stitched bag.
Great patterns, are they stitched by hand?
I love that thread too, oh and the felt stitched beads!
You know me anything stitched!!
Thank you Jackie for sharing.xx

Cat said...

So many treasures! You sound like you had a wonderful time. It's nice to get away and recharge. I'm afraid I'm miserable at haggling. I feel of all the times I've tried. I've succeeded only once in getting a better deal. You must be a master.

Carol Q said...

I have so enjoyed looking at your photos of your trip. What a wonderfully colourful place - I never realised.

Art Space Gallery said...

People are interested because your commentary is both interesting and funny, accompanied by lovely imagery. Well done!

hens teeth said...

Jackie, you should be a travel writer. You have transported me to this wonderful place with your words and pictures.

Julie said...

You have conjured up all the flavour, colour and atmosphere of Morrocco and entertained us too with your tales of bartering and (not always) magical holiday purchases. Thank you for sharing your holiday with us.

CAROLYN SAXBY said...

What a feast for our eyes ... so many treasures! Carolyn

Heather said...

I love the look of all your treasures and hope they give you much pleasure and revive happy memories of your wonderful holiday. It's odd how things which seem so right abroad, can lose their lustre when brought home - I think most of us have been caught out. Glad you got home safely, and you're just in time for Spring!

Guzzisue said...

thanks for sharing your holiday photos, maybe we need to get the map out and see how to get there on the bike! or maybe not as I wouldn't have anywhere to put any purchases :-0

Kitty said...

I've thoroughly enjoyed your Moroccan memories Jackie. Thank you so much for sharing them with us. x

Michael House said...

I have just looked through all your pictures of Morocco, they look fantastic, make me want to rush there immediately! Beautiful photos.

Wabbit said...

Oh how lovely your trip was! I wanted all the beads and yarn and textiles! The colors just suck you into the pictures.

It's so nice to be back to reading my favorite blogs and commenting again. I missed you!

Anonymous said...

I love everything you brought home and I think you did well to treat yourself to the trip as well as the goodies.

Shelly said...

Oh my, your treasures are the loveliest !!! The bag is just amazing !!
Thank you so much for sharing your journey.
:-)
Shelly

Robin Mac said...

You have such a wonderful collection of treasures from yourtrip - pity Marrakesh is so far away from Australia! I have loved reading and looking and getting the atmosphere of your trip.

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

Hello Jackie, I've been following your blog for a few months but this is my first comment. So hello! First of all, just to say your needlework (including those beads) is beautiful. And secondly, I've enjoyed reading your posts about Marrakesh and seeing your photos. Your treasures are lovely - I especially love the bag.
Janice.

Mermaid's Purse said...

Your collection of goodies is wonderful and I love your felt beads!

silverpebble said...

What fabulous treasures - the crochet and felt beads and the lovely wooden utensils must be my favourites. Is that a mould for making sweeties/chocolates/turkish delight? Thanks for sharing all your lovely goodies Jackie. Glad you had a wonderful time. Emma x

A time to dance said...

I loved the things that you brought back and really enjoyed reading about your holiday...I think I would have exceeded the baggage allowance with all those lovely things...I have to say I didnt leave a comment on your post yesterday... as I ate my lasagne whilst reading about the sheeps heads...i felt quite queesy...especially as I know my other half has tried them...

Victoria said...

What spectacular souvenirs! I adore those felt and embroidered beads! (And those political "dolls?!" Super scary/funny!)

Swirlyarts said...

You look like you have had great fun! I've been trying to leave a comment for ages but my internet has been dodgy :)

Cindibee said...

What beautiful finds! I think my favorite has to be that beautiful bag and the little spool of thread.

Linda Vincent said...

I can't believe how much you brought back Jackie! You must have gone with an almost empty suitcase! Everything is gorgeous...but I'm especially envious of the rug.
XX

Andrea said...

http://andreacarucci.style.it/
tutto bello!!!



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