After a flight of about 3 hours and a landing to say the least exciting, we (I use the plural because, as I said before, I went there for pleasure but for a corporate convention! And even the word "group" does not make l 'idea of the mass of people who had to move ...) arrived at the airport of
Marrakech.
On foot we reach the customs where a long queue ahead and the heat begins to be felt.
Go through the formalities, we expect the coach to take us to the various hotels. Obviously I was the most sfigato, not because it was not beautiful, indeed, but why is the only hotel located in a remote desert area, namely the New Tourist Zone, where practically everything is still under construction, even our hotel (Ryad Mogador Agdal) has not yet been completed! There were only around yards ...
Apart from the area, the hotel is really good and once placed the suitcase in the room, having a po 'di tempo a disposizione pending arrival of other colleagues, I decide to go and relax a little sunbathing by the pool.
For dinner we went to the complex at the famous "Chez Ali" where dinner under tents Keidal and you can watch shows of folklore, dances and Berber horses. It is really worth!
Tip: The night is always good to bring something heavy on him because the fluctuations in temperature over days is remarkable and it is always somewhat ventilated!
After spending the morning at Palazzo dei Congressi, reason of "holiday" and lunched on the terrace at the adjacent hotel, the afternoon was finally dedicated to the visit of the city.
Marrakech is the imperial city which has always from its name to Morocco, also called "Pearl of the South" or the "red city", was founded by Ben Youssef Tachefine nell'arida Haouz plain surrounded by palm trees, and is considered the great Berber metropolis.
After a scenic bus tour along the city walls which are developed for about ten miles high between 6 and 8 meters, opened by a dozen monumental gates in Spanish Moorish style, topped here and there from nests Storks (yes, you understand, just storks!), we stopped to visit the Palace of Bahia. Founded in the nineteenth century, was originally the residence of Si 'Ahmed ben Musa. Entering along a beautiful street surrounded by citrus trees, palm trees and bamboo, then we move into a beautiful courtyard and the beautiful marble portico work that leads to the rooms, beautifully decorated with floral motifs in wood and high ceilings still in wood inlaid, from whose tall windows into colored rays of the sun that create magical atmospheres.
After this pleasant stop, go back to the heat and chaos of the streets. Among hung rugs, carts pulled by donkeys and women covered from head to foot selling bracelets or offering tattoos all'henné, we reach the main square Djemaa El Fna, the heart of the city, the marketplace of Medina (old town) It is here that plays a large part of the whole social life, culture and tourism. Once the theater of public decapitations, Djemaa El Fna is now open-air stage where every day (in the late afternoon) perform snakes charmers, fire eaters, musicians, dancers, acrobats, healers, water sellers in traditional costume with grants leather and brass cups, and numerous benches along the circumference of selling orange juices made at the time. Around the square there are many cafe terraces from where you can enjoy the show in peace bevendosi a good tea with mint.
From north of the square you reach the Souk: irregular maze of narrow streets that form the market where the scent of saffron, cumin, black pepper, ginger enchant the nostrils, which are crowded bags of almonds, peanuts, beans, baskets dates, tons of olives, while on the banks of the special jars are lined up henna, ghassoul, vials of extract of rose, jasmine, mint ....
On the other side of the square instead dominating space spectacular minaret attached to the Koutoubia Mosque. And 'the highest building in the city with its almost seventy meters in height, is a stone tower, adorned with pink and jagged turrets surmounted by four gilded bronze beads. Unfortunately we can not visit the inside of the mosque because the visit is not available to non-Muslims!
My tour has ended. I wanted to have more time to visit the city and better, why not buy a lot of things! Nell'indecisione that always accompanies me, I had to satisfy the tea with mint, a bag and send postcards to the inevitable and to be kept in your memories.
The weekend is coming to an end.
After preparing your luggage and have enjoyed the last sun in the pool, from their hotel we were taken to Beldi Country Club for lunch. An 'oasis in the desert, a place where it is pervaded by the traditional Moroccan atmosphere and enjoy good food typical (this is the place where I ate better, indeed, where I ate, for all 3 days! ).
After refresh and relax at the magnificent gardens, we direct to the airport properly spaced. Seems unfortunate that there was a strike in place, no one knows who, so after an interminable queue in a small room without air conditioning for the documents (other people have become ill but they do not completely rubbed anything !!!), we gradually found all crammed into the tiny waiting room / embarkations because all flights were late, or better, were still kept on track. Even when we were getting on board we were still required more than an hour before take off. The flight by Royal Air Maroc had become a Smart Wings, czech company, which has served us dinner a package of savory croissants + a + a paltry glass of soft drink or tea or coffee or even a second round of drinks!
We are back in Italy all devastated by this return trip (not counting those who have been infected by the "syndrome" of the traveler who has continued in the days after the return), with so many good memories for the climate that is created between colleagues in these opportunities but also with great desire to eat healthy and good Italian food.