The beauty of arabic artesian architecture goes beyond words. The mathematic perfection, made in symbols to discretely give blessings of religions and show their beliefs in a very modest way, compared to the absolutely heavy Catholicism or religions like that, is exactly what I love. Discretion is much more fascinating. Everything is made to perfection when it comes to patterns or decorations, always with a hint of amazing colours. One can not do anyhting else then be affected by it's magnificent.
There's a modern Morocco and a very traditional - blend with each other in a somewhat hard to understand way. The islamic heaviness is more visible now then before, yet the new era of young Moroccans show their liberty and try to adjust their life to be more independent, yet it's clear that they are far from where we are today. You'll never be able, as a young moroccan woman to attend a cafe with your girlfriend without adding shame to your family for being available for flirtation and narcissism. Clearly most very "evening dressed" women with heavy makeup were "road flowers" (escort girls, prostitutes, paid company) as we nicely call them for older international men with lot's of money and a possibility to a better life perhaps.
Part of the females go dress like European women, the rest with the typical Djellaba(h) which is the traditional "kaftan" but with a hood on the back to protect from sand or sun, and the third part in complete burkas, covering the complete body including the face except the eyes. The men are more or less the same blend of modernity and traditional man Djellabah, but of course with tons more freedom.
Morocco is chaos to a western eye, a dynamic mix of cars, caravans, free walking animals, pollution, dust, dirt, people, street food, light weight motorcycles that carry a whole family on one, with the smallest child in front without a helmet. The segregation between the ultra poor and the middle class and wealthy is remarkable visible, but where is it not today in this weird world we're living in?
You'll find modern, ultra hip restaurants (often own by some french guy) very "lounge" in style, and the more authentic moroccan restaurant, where the food obviously is ten times better and served as it should. We went to both kind, and always a stunning Riad with impeccable architecture or style for lunch.
There are many top notch international hotels, but somewhat I find that those luxurious huge hotels all look the same and I love finding luxurious, yet "real" places to stay so that you take part for the country and the cultural in a more close way.
I'll give you tips for Riads, restaurant and things to to in a post coming soon!
Talk soon!
(sunglasses: Fendi, sandals: Hermés, see through tunic: Mexx & purple bag: Louis Vuitton)
