The Spice Hub of the World
A Typical Morrocan Door
Morocco historically is one of, if not the largest spice trading hubs of the world. It also has many different areas, from coastal cities to arid deserts. It is home to one of the older trading cities called Marrakech, one of Africa's most visited cities. It has many offerings to tourists that enjoy shopping and eating. The small winding alleys in the souks (Arab for market) of Marrakech are filled with many different street vendors offering fresh ground spices or leather goods. These markets are bustling and can be challenging to navigate. Inexperienced travelers should be wary of cons in the form of helpful guides. Using a map and preplanning a route is a great idea.
Historical Landmarks Beg to be Seen Again
Marrakech also has great historical significance. The Medersa
Ben Youssef is a beautiful sixteenth-century school that features breathtaking
architectural features. Jemaa el-Fnaa is a massive open market where shopping
and eating can be done. However, one of the most exciting things about this
city-center square is the street performers. Everything from trained animals to
sword eaters can be seen. If the crowded streets aren't your thing, you can
take a short trek out of the city to the Atlas Mountains.
A Far Away Exotic Place
Because Marrakech and the surrounding countryside offer so much, it is one of my must-see destinations. The primary reasons for me to visit are:
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| Spices Traded in the Souk |
- The food is excellent
- The city offers so much to see
- Beautiful historical sites are abundant
- Hikes through the National Park
These reasons, coupled with it being an extremely old city
that has somehow held onto the past and yet embraced the future with tourism. Due
to Marrakech being so tourist-friendly, it is also a relatively safe place to
travel to. This has been a dream of mine to walk through the souks and talk to spice traders and antique dealers for many years. The pure and raw historic energy seems to surge through the city. To me it seems like a perfect place that anyone would enjoy.
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