Arrival in Marrakech

Steph says:
We arrived in Marrakech on Wednesday after a pleasant drive from Fes. We stopped for lunch at a Moroccan restaurant where we ate a tangine of fried egg and beef. There were several cats who enjoyed sharing it with us as we ate outside.

Our Riad, the Villa des Orangers, is lovely. We are sitting on our private terrace overlooking the city and drinking champagne as I write this.

We stopped at a leather store when we got to Marrakech because I commented that I would be interested in buying a very lightweight, thin suede jacket. Asiz took us to a fantastic store where I found one that would cost ten times as much in the States. It is gorgeous suede-like butter, and they are tailoring it to fit. It will be ready Thursday afternoon. We looked at leather in Buenos Aires and there is no comparison!

We had dinner at the Riad Wednesday night. The hotel is located a few blocks from the square. As usual, it is virtually hidden. All you can  see is an unmarked wooden door. Inside, it is an oasis replete with a spa.

The square is as I remembered it but Marrakesh has undergone a total transformation since I was last here nearly 30 years ago. Unlike Fes where we saw no tourists, there are hordes of them here watching the snake and monkey charmers. Many outdoor dining areas were being set up for the evening as we wandered through. Lamb heads and brains were on display. We are taking a tour with a noted chef Friday night and will eat at one of these places. A full report to follow!