The drive to Marrakesh through the High Atlas mountains was breathtaking, both because of the beautiful vistas and because of all the twists and turns of the road! We all felt like A-listers with a stop in Ourzazate at Atlas Studios, the Hollywood of Morocco, where many popular films and commercials have been made (e.g., Game of Thrones, Gladiator, Ben Hur). The guide even made a mini-movie of Dev as Cleopatra (see video below). We also made a quick stop to see Ait Benhaddou, a historic village that was along the caravan route from the Sahara to Marrakesh.
After a full day, we arrived at Ryad Dyor in Marrakesh which was amazing. It is three homes combined so a bit of a puzzle with multiple courtyards and a beautiful rooftop where we ate an amazing breakfast every morning.
On our first full day we had a guide who showed us the major sites, including the Kutubiyya Mosque (built around 1200 and standing 253 ft high), and the jewish area (we love the jews!). Dennis and the kids weren’t feeling great so they went home early while Grandma and Johanna continued the tour through the medina, Ben Youssef medrasa (a school), and Jemaa el-Fnaa square. We tried to remember where we were going so we could return with everyone else. It’s slightly less overwhelming than the Fes medina but there are also people on motorcycles zooming through so you have to be much more aware. The medina in Marrakesh also has some more contemporary designers which was interesting and a delicious highlight was getting a bunch of fresh ground spices to bring home.
Since several of us were not feeling great, we took it easy the next day enjoying the ryad and taking a stroll through the medina (with Grandma and Johanna as guides). Highlights included a long stop at a hipster store, practicing some metalwork, and buying more sweets from an incredible place that has passed through three generations. The almond pastries are a favorite, especially the Kaab El Ghazal (the gazelle’s horn). We finished off with the required tourist stops to see monkeys and snakes in the square, dinner at the street vendors, and then rides home in Tok Toks (see video below).
The next day we went to the ever popular Marjorelle Gardens, Yves Saint Laurent museum, and a museum showing his private collection of Amazigh antiques (still called the Berber museum). It was our first time seeing lines of tourists. The last museum was especially beautiful, particularly because of the way it was displayed. After lunch, we headed off to our hammam experience. Historically, not everyone had access to baths so hammams were created as public baths where people could go to wash (men and women separately). It involves multiple steps including a serious scrub down, some version of a hot sauna, and rinsing off. They remain popular today and are very much a social experience where the community gathers. For tourists like us, there are now also private spas where you can visit for a hamman-type experience. We split into two groups: Grandma took the kids and then Dennis and Johanna went together. The kids loved it and Dennis survived it. For dinner we switched gears from the classic tagines and went to a contemporary restaurant which was incredible.
For the final day, Dennis and the kids went to a cooking class outside of the city on a farm where they learned to shake their tajines by dancing to music, all about the tea ritual, and they got to meet the animals on the farm. Meanwhile Johanna and Grandma went to eat at Mamounia, a bucket list item for Grandma, and had a lovely lunch where they were particularly excited to eat fresh salad.
Tomorrow, we say goodbye to Grandma and our wonderful guide/driver, Mohamed! He will take Grandma back to Casablanca at an extremely early hour for her flight home and the rest of us will drive into the Atlas Mountains for our first Worldschooling Hub.
Here is the link for the video if it does not work above.
https://youtu.be/u5ex1QAn7hM?si=U6a4lLx6JPyqpfV1
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