Riad Relaxing in Morocco

Morocco has been on my travel wish list for a few years now.  I would always see pictures with the bright colors and I felt like it had such a distinct culture.  I finally made it to Marrakesh and it was an awesome trip.  I only went for a few days but the town was absolutely amazing for street photography.  I stayed in a nice riad within walking distance to the souk (a bazaar where all the goods are sold by locals) in the Medina.  See the view from the top of my riad.  You can see the Atlas Mountains in the distance.  You see everything from teapots to clothes to snake charmers and tons of musicians in the Medina.  If you look to travel there during the day the square will be not so busy but the place transforms at night and comes to life with the night market.  So many street performers, good food and friendly people.  We ended up taking the tour (we all know it is a tourist trap) to see the traditional Moroccan leather tanneries of local Berbers where leather is made.  I can’t put into words the smell!  You are handed a mint leaf to smell while you are touring.  Of course then they take you to a shop to have tea and to buy products.  I didn’t buy anything there but after we went to see the Berber spice lady which I knew I would leave Morocco with spices to cook with.  I ended up with some curry, 35 spice and some other spice for fish and seafood.  Also I ended up with some Argon Oil for my mom and sister which is very popular and expensive in the states.  
The 1st full day was spent traveling to Ouzoud Waterfalls which was amazing.  We hiked for a couple of hours and I had some freshly squeezed pomegranate juice in front of the falls.  The water itself looked pretty dirty but there were several people swimming in it.  We took a boat ride in front of the falls where you could feel the power of the water and we were in the splash zone.  After this we went to eat lunch and had chicken kabobs.  There were 3 British girls sitting at the table next to us that screamed and I looked up and a monkey was on their table and stealing bread.  I tried to grab my camera as quickly as I could but by the time I did the monkey was gone.  After lunch we walked to the top of the waterfalls where you could see wild monkeys roaming and at the very top they were taking fruit and bread from people to eat.  They were so calm but the male was definitely dominating the female as he would take any good food that was being given.  I brought an orange and some bread with me from lunch and the monkey absolutely crushed it.  After a while it came over by me and rested his arm on my shoulder as I was kneeling on the ground.  This was awesome and I thought it would climb on my shoulder but it never did.  I got some great shots of the monkeys and we continued to the top of the falls where we met our driver to head back to Marrakesh.
I went back to the night market to eat and ended up buying a red and black prayer rug.  If you know me then you know I am an Atlanta Falcons fan through and through and I told the owner I might need this by the end of the season.  He invited me for some tea and we chatted and invited me to his family’s home to have a lunch and tea.  Unfortunately I didn’t have another day so I took a rain check.  Be sure to try the Tagine!  
The next day I went to the Jardin Majorelle or Gardens in Marrakesh.  It was a very nice garden where I got a decent shot of some turtles on a ledge. 
The best part of the trip was the street photography in my opinion.  Some pictures were taken as I was walking or riding in a vehicle.  I mean how often do you see someone carrying a washer machine on the back of a moped?  This was insane and I wanted to rent a moped as they were so prevalent there.  Finally I booked a Hammam as I was told not to leave without doing this.  It is basically a scrub of all the dead skin in your body and you actually feel lighter afterwards. 
There are a couple things I would like to go back to see.  One was the Atlas Mountains.  You could see them in the distance but I didn’t have time to take a trip there.  Imagine it is 70 degree whether where you are but in the distance you could see snow-capped mountains.  I thought this was incredible.  I am also told that you can snowboard in the Atlas Mountains.  Whoever thought you could snowboard anywhere in Africa?  Bucket-listed.  The other thing I would do is visit the coast to see how the culture is there and to try fresh seafood. My last night there it stormed and rained like crazy and I was able to get a good shot of lightning striking. 
A word to the wise be careful what you show interest in at the market/souk and be careful taking pictures of performers or snake charmers if they see you they will charge you.  I saw this happen a few times.  It is a good thing I am used to being a low key and quick with the camera when doing street photography.  Also when you want to purchase something be sure to haggle down to at least half of the starting price.  Trust me and hold strong!