Saturday 7 March 2009

Marrakech in March 2: Shops.

Going to the supermarket will never be the same again. Think souks and Kasbar instead.

I didn't have to shop for food in Marrakech but here are some typical shops around the market square.



Pulses..while the cats away the birds will play..look closely at the sacks.(You can click the pics for closer views)

We asked our guide the name of the little birds pecking at the goods , and he said something like 'ee-beese' but he didn't spell it, so I can't be sure.



This shop seemed to be an Apothocarie




with tortioses too, and in the cages above them, chameleons,



and outside a strange sort of guinea fowl that seemed to be a pet (but you never know)





'Its meat Jim but not as we know it.'

Tripe. Unbleached.




With your meat, two veg? Or three?

All cooked in a Tajine


with maybe a few spices?
Despite this array, the food in Marrakech seemed very bland to me, tasting mainly of cumin and cinammon.

One very simple but delicious dessert consisted of sliced oranges sprinkled with cinammon. The oranges there are beautifully sweet and juicy.

I have no idea what these things are.

But he was a very nice man.


19 comments:

Robin Mac said...

Love the photos Jackie, but the ibis are nothing like the ibis we have in Australia - ours are very large birds with long curved beaks. They forage in swamps or in cities, the white ibis love the rubbish dumps, they are a great pest. Cheers, Robin

Cat said...

All the colors! And I bet those vegetables are fresh until our supermarkets here (I can't wait for the farmer's market to open). How could you not feel inspired after so much color and I hear the tile work is incredible there. No, the regular shops would not look the same after that. You must have had a ball there. Do you have that expression? I mean a great time. Have a great day!

Linda Vincent said...

Wonderful photos Jackie - looking forward to seeing more. DH and I have pondered over visiting Morocco; you may help make our minds up! Well - we have similar taste, don't we? (Thinking Greek Islands!)
I especially love the photo of the birds in the sacks...
Love
Linda x

Lynn said...

Oh my gosh. I love these pics. How did that shopkeeper get his spices into those pyramid/cone shapes?? I love all those jars filled with who knows what, the colors are so intriguing. Interesting all the shopkeepers appear to be men.

Ann Christy said...

It all looks really fascinating Jackie. A great experience!

Victoria said...

Beautiful photos Jackie! (Those birds in the bags of food!) Love all of the wonderful colors, and those spices! Wow! Truly look forward to seeing more. So glad you had a great time!

connie said...

Oh, these photos are wonderful. The colors are incredible. I have not traveled much so it is very fun to see what others get to experience. I have a good friend who does travel but does not take photos and it drives me crazy. Thank you so much for sharing. I see a cool quilt in the second photo.

gunnelsvensson said...

Welcome home! It seems like a good vacation! (if 6 weeks I am at Crete :-))
So wonderful picturres, thanks for sharong. I wonder if your next works will have these colours ?

Heather said...

Wonderful photos - so colourful and fascinatingly different from our shops here at home. What a lovely way to buy spices. Much more interesting than our little clinical packets and jars.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

So much colour! And so very different from my supermarket experience here! I am quite looking forward to all your photographs!! Welcome home!

Chris Daly said...

Welcome home. I am glad you did not fall ill, and please, please lots of photos :)

Threadspider said...

Food for the eyes and the soul. What a great trip.

konnykards .. Musings of a Senior Citizen said...

Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos - there are so many fascinating markets around the world - always my choice to visit, but now I have to be content with the photos! Connie.

Gina said...

Wonderful images.

Anonymous said...

Fabulous experience - the colors! amazing!

Anonymous said...

Fabulous experience - the colors! amazing!

Julie said...

Those birds look a bit like dunnocks which are a type of sparrow. Not sure as the tails look a bit long. Good job the food will be cooked!

ArtPropelled said...

Oh what a feast for the eyes! I love markets no matter where I am. Those spices must have smelt so delicious.

Dot said...

Such colorful photo's. What an amazing trip this must have been.

I am sure we will see color influences soon in your gorgeous art!



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