My wife and I visited Morocco back in 1997, so all the photos you’ll be looking at are digitized from 35mm slides. The originals are just fine, but when you make a copy of a photo much of the subtlety of the dynamic range is lost, as is much of the sharpness. So much for excuses. I decided to post these pictures in view of the earthquake damage that just occurred there so you could have some idea of what that wonderful city was like before the recent great disaster struck.

Marrakesh is often referred to as the "Red City" due to its distinct terracotta-hued buildings. It is a mesmerizing destination that beckoned travelers with its rich history, vibrant culture, and enchanting ambiance. Located in the heart of Morocco, the ancient city was a treasure trove of unique experiences and sights.

Jemaa el-Fnaa was the bustling heart of Marrakesh and one of the most iconic squares in the world. When you visited Marrakesh, this is where you went. By day, the expansive square was a lively marketplace where vendors peddled their wares, mostly to tourists, snake charmers captivated onlookers, mostly tourists, and street performers entertained the masses, also mostly tourists. However, it was by night that Jemaa el-Fnaa truly came alive. The square transformed into a vibrant culinary carnival, with countless food stalls offering Moroccan delicacies, usually tangine or cuscus, which did, I must admit, get tiring after our six weeks visit to the country. The atmosphere was electric, though, and the sounds and scents that wafted through the air created an unforgettable sensory experience, not all of them pleasant.
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Surrounding Jemaa el-Fnaa was the ancient Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the historic heart of Marrakesh. The recent news photos I have seen do not encourage me to hope that there is much left of this area. The medina was a labyrinth of narrow, winding streets and alleyways lined with intricately designed buildings adorned with colorful tiles and ornate carvings. As we wandered through this captivating maze, we encountered bustling souks (markets) where we were able to shop for everything from spices and textiles to handcrafted pottery and jewelry. The Medina was a living testament to Marrakesh's rich cultural heritage, offering glimpses into traditional Moroccan life.

It was best to go into the Medina with a guide. If you didn’t then you would be continuously hassled by others who would have wanted to serve as one. So for no other reason than to window shop in peace, a guide was a necessity. The guide we hired struck our fancy because he looked a lot like Sammy Davis Jr … and he knew it, as he had been told this many times by many visitors who hired him over the years. What we didn’t know was that he was unlicensed, which made his services illegal. He was quite good though, and expeditiously took us everywhere we wanted to go without trying to lead us to some merchant from whom he would have gotten some form of commission. Unfortunately, for him, in the middle of our walk-around, a couple of local police nabbed him and quite literally dragged him off to, I guess, prison. We never even got to pay him, for which we felt very bad.

The Medina was encircled by a massive protective wall that dates back to the 12th century. These fortifications served to safeguard the city from invaders and continue to stand as a symbol of Marrakesh's enduring history. Walking along the walls provides visitors with panoramic views of the city, offering a glimpse into both its past and present.

One of the most enchanting aspects of Marrakesh was its network of narrow, winding streets that crisscross the Medina. These alleys are known as "derbs" and were a delight to explore. Lined with hidden courtyards, traditional riads, and local shops, the derbs invited the visitor to step back in time and experience Marrakesh as it has been for centuries. The maze-like layout encourages serendipitous discoveries, making every stroll a unique adventure in which it is very easy to become lost.

As you wandered through the narrow streets of Marrakesh, you’d often hear the distinctive cry of "Balak! Balak!" This call is a warning from local workers who are guiding donkeys or horses loaded with goods through the crowded streets. The narrowness of the alleys made it necessary for pedestrians to be aware of their surroundings, and the cry of “Balak, which basically meant “Heads up,” ” served as a courteous reminder to step aside and make way for the passing beasts, as they do not look out for you. And they’re bigger. It was a small but memorable part of the daily life in Marrakesh that added to the city's unique charm.