Hello from Marrakech… so much has happened since last I blogged. Here’s a much-abridged version of recent events.

Took the 7 1/2 hour train ride to Marrakech, which was comfortable and relaxing. We had read that when you eat on public transportation, it was customary to offer to share it with the people around. This was quite well received and led to many a conversation with the friendly locals who in turn always offered a share in their lunch as well. One woman showed us the pictures from her brother’s recent wedding, explaining all the details of the Moroccan wedding ritual.

Got to Marrakech and ate in the Djemma El Fna, an extremely crowded town square (think Jazz fest main event crowded) with food stalls surrounded with long benches where locals (and the occasional tourist) squeeze in and eat dinner for around one dollar. T ate at a lamb stall, where the man coarsely ripped the meat of the rack with his hands and a dirty knife, throwing it onto a little plate for T to eat, also with his hands of course. He said it was delicious, but it seemed extremely greasy to me.

Decided to book a four day Land Rover trip to the desert proper, and took off the next day.