It’s off to Marrakesh after my last minute shopping in the morning!
I made my way to the train station and got ready to board the train. Standardisation doesn’t seem to be the norm here in Morocco, as the train that I took seemed extremely run down, as compared to the nice comfy train I had taken from Casablanca to Rabat. With no seat assignments, I was lucky enough to get a seat in one of the cabins which holds 8, of which half was occupied by a family of 4.
The journey to Marrakesh took 4.5hr, across similar landscapes seen on the journey to Rabat. What left an impression in the entire journey was when the family of 4 in the same cabin took out some food for lunch and offered to share with total strangers in the same cabin. The generosity was surprising and also refreshing, something which I would never have encountered back home.
I thankfully declined their good gesture, as had brought some light snacks to keep my stomach from grumbling through the long journey, however felt embarrassed since the food I had brought was not meant for communal sharing.
Upon arriving in Marrakesh, I took a taxi to the infamous Place Jema El Fna square, which is near where my hostel is located. The streets was bustling with activity and filled with crowds of people and I wondered if this was typical. As I squeezed through the crowds with exploding-by-the-seams luggage in tow towards the hostel, I was shocked by the number of bikes and scooters zooming through at high speed in the narrow streets of the medina. At one point I almost got knocked down by one of those scooters!
I was so glad to finally arrive at the hostel and was the hostel lovely! A 4-storey narrow building with a small open-air courtyard in the centre with candles lighting the corridors and stairway. Traditional Moroccan mint tea was served, while I waited to check in, making one feel homely.
While waiting, I heard pitter-patter sounds and before any further warning could be given, it started pouring – probably the 1st time since I have been in Morocco! It didn’t last long though, as by the time I had checked in and decided to head to the main square to get some food, the rain had stopped. It definitely cooled down the evening air and made it more pleasant to be out.
Another evening getting lost and familiarising myself in a new medina!
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