LET THE FOOD BECOME YOUR TOUR GUIDE


Hi,

I'm Nikki and I live in beautiful Portland, OR. I am a lover of foods and also travel. So, I thought it would be fun to combine the two.

I know my favorite part of my vacations is the different foods I get to try that represent those regions. Foods are the thumbprint of a city. The foods people eat support life, they express their history, and they bring cultures together. Sounds great to me. I suppose that's why I "live food" full-time now....as a culinary student.

If you're interested in food and travel and would like to learn a little more about the food, sights, and culture of a few places around the world then this may be the blog for you. If you think so too, I'm looking forward to having you come along with me on this journey.

Bon Voyage & Bon Appetit!

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

EXOTIC MARRAKESH, MOROCCO

A SULTRY KIND OF CITY


Mystical and magical.  A city of great depth and beauty and one of the major cities in Morocco on the continent of Northwest Africa.

Just the word "Marrakesh" evokes images of busy streets with merchants abound offering their wares for sale.  In my mind, I picture seas of intricately detailed lanterns, glorious fountains decorated with exquisite mosaic tiles, yards of textiles in rich colors, and women adorned in traditional, deeply-colored garments.

Welcome to Marrakesh.


HISTORY


Marrakesh, meaning "Land of God", is the third largest city in Morocco and is considered the cultural center.  It is busy and, at times, overwhelming.  It is also full of breathtaking sights, such as the many mosques that were built there, and also its incredible scenery as the picture illustrates. It was founded in 1062 and was inhabited by the North African native ethnic group, the Berbers.

Today it is an economical center and a popular tourist destination.  Part of its attraction may be combination of old (Medina historical portion of Marrakesh) and new (Gueliz new European district).


WHEN TO VISIT


My research suggests that avoiding the summer heat may be a good idea; however, you will miss some of the festivals that take place during those months.   If you can bear it, this might be the time to visit for you.  For the winter months, skiing is an option in the nearby Atlas mountains.   The most mild temperatures can be found in the spring and fall.  For your consideration - Ramadan is an Islamic fasting time of observance that occurs during the summer months of July and August and may have a minimal impact on a trip there during that time.


NOT TO BE MISSED IN MARRAKESH:


Example of one of Marrakesh's
stunning tiled fountains


It is the beauty of the artwork in addition to the culture and history that takes your breath away here.   Make sure to take in as much as possible when visiting.   Beauty is lurking around every bend.







TO DO AND SEE:              

  • Djemma el Fna (Medieval entertainment "heart"in the center of the city)
  • Majorelle Gardens
  • Marrakesh Medina (Shopping Mecca & Marketplace)
  • Wool Dyers Souk (Peek and visit the age- old tradition of dyeing yards of silken fabrics) 
  • Museum of Moroccan Arts
  • Ali ben Youssef Medersa & Mosque (pictured here)
  • Badii (Sultan's) Palace ruins
  • Learn to belly dance 


I think I may have temporarily taken my mind off of food.   Oh my, ladies - look at all the fabulous shoes they have there!!!

Pardon the digression.  We can move on now.





Marrakesh is a shopper's paradise with marketplaces full of beautiful trinkets, blankets, shoes, lamps, spices, etc.  Anything you can imagine in a market setting is surely to be found here. Find that special something to treasure and display in your home when you return....if you ever decide to leave.



THE FOOD OF MARRAKESH




The food of Marrakesh is brimming with flavor and the spices of the region.   The cuisine is becoming popular in the States as illustrated in this New York Times travel piece on this foodie city.





The food stalls in Djemma el Fna offer a variety of traditional
Moroccan foods such as:

  • Couscous (Coarsely ground Semolina wheat pasta)
  • Shish kebabs (Meat marinated in Moroccan spices)
  • Harira Soup (Tomato, lentil and lamb)
  • Pastilla (sweet pastry stuffed with chicken & icing sugar!)
  • M'semmen (Moroccan pancakes)

THE SPICE OF LIFE


When I think of Moroccan food, I think of flavorful spices first.  Their use of spices such as cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger and saffron become stamped in your memory and leave you longing for more.  In addition to proteins such as beef, chicken, lamb and seafood, a variety of salads and couscous are traditional and there is something to be found for everyone.  The midday meal is the largest and food is often consumed with hands or by using bread.



Marrakesh, Morocco.  Just incredible.   I don't remember having this feeling of complete and utter awe to the degree that I have now.   It is definitely magical there.  In fact, it's everything I imagined it would be and more.  I am sad to go, but it is time to move on.




 We'll be returning to the United States for our last stop.  In the words of Andy Dufresne as written to his friend Red in my all-time favorite movie, The Shawshank Redemption, "And if you've come this far, maybe you're willing to come a little further."  I hope you will come a little further for this journey would not be complete without your presence in the last city we'll be visiting.  

 We're headed to New Orleans, LA next for some spicy Creole Cuisine before returning to Portland, OR.  See you there fellow food lovers. 
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