Where: Marrakech, Morocco
When: April 1-2, 2011
With: Rachel
The book lists two entries together that can be hard to distinguish: "Dining in Marrakech" and "Place Djemaa El Fna and the Medina". The reason I find them tough to separate is that the Djemaa El Fna (the main market square of Marrakech) is the first dining experience to be noted in the "Dining in Marrakech" entry. And since that was really my main dining in Marrakech experience, I'll talk about my experience in that entry. Therefore, this entry will be short.
Moroccan food in Marrakech is meant to be unique due to its proximity to Europe. The influence of French and European techniques on the traditional Moroccan fare is special and delicious. While I didn't eat at any fusion restaurants, I did get to experience all the staples of Moroccan cuisine throughout my trip.
However, the most unique and personal dining experience of our trip was when our tour guide, Lahoucine, invited us all back to his apartment in Marrakech. After our very long bus ride through the mountains, there was something wildly comforting about being in someone's home, even if it wasn't mine.
As I stated before, Lahoucine moved here only recently from a Berber village in the deserts of Morocco and is still getting used to city living. He lives with his sister, who made sure we had snacks laid out to perfection upon our arrival. She was very sweet, and still working on her English. She also had the most beautiful purple and yellow scarf.
In addition to the biggest pieces of homemade chocolate cake imaginable, there was hot mint tea ready for us. We watched as Lahoucine poured it in big, long streams, holding the teapot high above the cup. Mint tea is the traditional welcome drink of Morocco, and we had gotten used to its sweet flavor over the last eight days. But watching him pour a glass for each of us in his own home was such a special experience.
When: April 1-2, 2011
With: Rachel
The book lists two entries together that can be hard to distinguish: "Dining in Marrakech" and "Place Djemaa El Fna and the Medina". The reason I find them tough to separate is that the Djemaa El Fna (the main market square of Marrakech) is the first dining experience to be noted in the "Dining in Marrakech" entry. And since that was really my main dining in Marrakech experience, I'll talk about my experience in that entry. Therefore, this entry will be short.
Moroccan food in Marrakech is meant to be unique due to its proximity to Europe. The influence of French and European techniques on the traditional Moroccan fare is special and delicious. While I didn't eat at any fusion restaurants, I did get to experience all the staples of Moroccan cuisine throughout my trip.
However, the most unique and personal dining experience of our trip was when our tour guide, Lahoucine, invited us all back to his apartment in Marrakech. After our very long bus ride through the mountains, there was something wildly comforting about being in someone's home, even if it wasn't mine.
As I stated before, Lahoucine moved here only recently from a Berber village in the deserts of Morocco and is still getting used to city living. He lives with his sister, who made sure we had snacks laid out to perfection upon our arrival. She was very sweet, and still working on her English. She also had the most beautiful purple and yellow scarf.
In addition to the biggest pieces of homemade chocolate cake imaginable, there was hot mint tea ready for us. We watched as Lahoucine poured it in big, long streams, holding the teapot high above the cup. Mint tea is the traditional welcome drink of Morocco, and we had gotten used to its sweet flavor over the last eight days. But watching him pour a glass for each of us in his own home was such a special experience.
So while I didn't get to experience any of the fancy restaurants in Marrakech, I wouldn't trade enjoying hot tea in a Moroccan home for anything.
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