What is GranTourismo?
In 2010, globetrotting travel writers Lara Dunston and Terence Carter, in partnership with HomeAway Holiday-Rentals, will trade hotel rooms for holiday homes as they embark on a contemporary grand tour of the globe. They’ll be travelling slowly, living like locals, doing and learning things, and giving something back at each destination they visit. Their mission is to explore more enriching and authentic ways of travelling, and make travel more meaningful and more memorable.
Travel Blogging Competition
Social Media Links
Snapshots! Our latest photos…
Check out our videos…
-
February 22, 2010
A Slice of Local Life in Marrakech Medina
[gallery link="file"]
Inspiring travellers to explore local neighbourhoods and learn more about the everyday life of the locals in the places they visit is one of the main aims of our Grantourismo project this year. Which is why we’re spending our two weeks in Morocco in Marrakech (aside from a 3-day escape we’ll do to Essaouira this weekend) rather than travelling further afield as we've done on previous trips.
We’ve been spending most of our time in Marrakech's medina (old city), ambling the alleyways between our riad, Dar Rocmarra, via the souqs, to the main square, Place Djemaa Al Fna, and have spent a lot of time exploring our neighbourhood near Bab Doukkala – and we’ve had just as engaging a time as we have on previous stays when we’ve raced around doing all the sights.
If you don’t believe us, take a look at this gallery of photos Terry took during a two-hour walk we did from the riad. Now, if you had that kind of colour in your ’hood, you wouldn’t want to leave either, would you?
This entry was posted in Living like Locals, The ‘Hood and tagged Essaouira, everyday exploring, everyday life, living like locals, local colour, local neighbourhoods, Local Travel, Marrakech, medina, Morocco, slice of life, slow travel, sustainable travel, walking tours. Bookmark the permalink. Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL.
11 Comments
Gorgeous, gorgeous photography! Definitely captures the sense of place.
Thanks Lola, I was waiting to get some better weather (it’s been rubbish!), but I thought that a very raw set would do the place justice. Make hay while the sun shines is a good motto for your budding Matador photographers! Really appreciate your comment ‘cos I know you have taste
Your timing is so perfect! I’ll be there a week from tomorrow
Can’t wait!!!
Anne
No way! Should I do a post of freaking fantastic signs in the souq? Or will you do your own? You’ll love it!
PS: LOL @ your post: Paris Practique :: Packing
My personal take? Used to hate scarves. Now think they’re underrated.
Beautiful work, as always. Thanks for the glimpses of a most intriguing city.
Colorful photos. Will you be wearing a selection of scarves from now on?
How many extra suitcases of purchases will you be filling over the coming 12 months? Have you set a limit?
You are right. I definitely wouldn’t want to leave with that kind of color in my every day life. Gorgeous pictures!! Thank you for giving us a peak into local life.
LuxPod. No room for a selection of scarves. Or a collection of anything other than lenses so I can make these photos.
I miss Marrakech and Essaouira!!! I just LOVE both these places.
Your photos are so GORGEOUS that I feel ashamed to post mine. I’d have to go through my collection, as well, and do some reminiscing of my own. I can’t believe it will be one year in May since we’ve been to Marrakech and Essaouira. My 3-year-old girl (then 2) remembers her awesome, awesome, awesome time in Marrakech…seeing the monkeys, horses, donkeys, snakes, and “the little person”–her words, upon seeing a ‘comedy’ performance on the square.
Jen, thanks so much, really appreciate your comments. Can’t wait to hopefully do Essaouira some justice in the photography department. Love the light there.
Lara and I were actually discussing today that the square in Marrakech is like a fairground. Look out for that in a post soon!