In June of 2017, I spent a week in Morocco to explore the vibrant culture and see what the streets had to offer. The never ending organised chaos was a site to behold, and became a true experience once you begin walking through the medina…
The seemingly endless flat landscape of Marrakesh means you can see for miles if you manage to find a rooftop terrace. The mosque on the right of the frame is just one of many used throughout Marrakesh and the rest of Morocco for praying in 5 times a day.
The area outside the Medina is a stark contrast to inside. Most of the roads are smooth and the buildings have been erected in the last 20 years, allowing them to adhere to Marrakech’s booming tourist industry.
One of the many donkey’s used inside the Medina of Marrakesh to pull carts full fruit, clothes, cigarettes, meat or anything else that could possibly be sold on the street.
Looking out over Jemaa el-Fna, a large public square full of hawkers and entertainers in the middle of Marrakesh. The hustle and bustle continues late into the night and the flurry of activity occurs everywhere you look. It truly is an insult to the senses, but nonetheless an unforgettable experience.
A Barbery Macaque looks on to the rest of the Jeema el-Fna, as his owner smiles for the camera. One look at the Macaques hopeless stare and the chain around his neck is all it takes to make you realise there was never a happy life in store for this monkey. This is a classic example of the pet trade that occurs in Morocco, where Barbary Macaques are taken from the wild, and bred to live along side humans as entertainers. Barbary Macaques officially classified as endangered on ICUN red list. Their numbers have rapidly declined in recent decades, and the remaining number estimated in the wild is 8,000 – 10,000.
One of the many horses standing in line at the side of a road, waiting for high season to begin, when they pull carriages full of tourists through the streets of Essaouira.
Towns seem to appear out of nowhere in the Atlas Mountains. It’s common to see towns like this one perched on the side of the hill looking out on what I’m sure was a spectacular view.
The high street of Essaouira is full of life at all times of the the day, and is especially busy at night. The hustle of the crowd and the hawkers along the street edge really made the place come alive.
Morocco’s climate means there is always an overabundance of fruit, much of which is loaded onto carts and sold on the streets.
Another Moroccan fruit in great excess was olives. You had the option to buy them by the bucketload, and whether you liked it or not, they serve them with every meal. When sold on the street, they were often a site to behold and to me they became one of Morocco’s defining characteristics.
Handbags and clothes were available by the dozen in every town we visited. Many were counterfeits, while some were made with the softest leather using one of Morocco’s many traditional leather tanneries.
Ebe pulled us off the streets of Essaouira to show us his homemade compasses, which allow you to use the moon to find the required direction. Ebe had grown up in the Sahara desert, but had moved to Essaouira to forge a better life.
