Morocco 2015 Trip Day 3 September 27 Sunday
Wake up call 7:00 - Yoga 7:30-Breakfast at 8:30 on the bus by 10:00 Headcount, water and we are on our way for today's new adventure.
Today we again start our tour in the Medina, old city, of Marrakesh specifically the Mallah or Jewish Quarter. We were let off in the main square where I visited 2+ times the day before... as we started to go through the winding allies I saw they were very familiar because I was there!!! But this time I saw that we had another person with us on a motorcycle... he was for our local security. Well, yesterday I also had some local security. First the view of the carpet seller at the corner, the entrance to the alley where the old Synagogue was, and even in this dingy dark alley the blue sky seeped through and remnants of patterned tiles could be found.
Wake up call 7:00 - Yoga 7:30-Breakfast at 8:30 on the bus by 10:00 Headcount, water and we are on our way for today's new adventure.
Today we again start our tour in the Medina, old city, of Marrakesh specifically the Mallah or Jewish Quarter. We were let off in the main square where I visited 2+ times the day before... as we started to go through the winding allies I saw they were very familiar because I was there!!! But this time I saw that we had another person with us on a motorcycle... he was for our local security. Well, yesterday I also had some local security. First the view of the carpet seller at the corner, the entrance to the alley where the old Synagogue was, and even in this dingy dark alley the blue sky seeped through and remnants of patterned tiles could be found.
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The Old Synagogue Marrakech is still in use, but the Jewish population does not reside in the old quarter but is spread in newer areas of the city. I found this interesting photo album about Jews in Morroco. Rachel, one of our group was born in Marrakech and she remembers this Synagogue as a child. It was an emotional visit.
It was the eve of Sukkot and there was a decorated Succa along with many pictures of the members of this congregation.
Succa in Old Synagogue
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Entrance to Synagogue Courtyard
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Another composite of the Old Synagogue and Ezrat Nahsim
the women's section
Our security escort
One of the many Boutique Hotels in the Mallach
Jewish Quarter
Leaving the Quarter the Old cemetery of Marrakech
Will write more about the Morocco and Jewish connection in a separate post
Leaving Marrakech for the Mountains through the Ourika Valley. On the way we visited a typical Berber home and learned much about their traditions.... what views and what hospitable people. it was very dark inside and I don't use flash my images are a bit grainy.
View from the upper balcony
Another view
A typical Casbah
View of the kitchen
Entrance area
Having tea with a special ritual.
That white lump is sugar!!!
Stopped at the tomb of Rabbi Solomon Bel-Hench
There are many tombs of Jewish Tzadikim (Saints) scattered in Morocco. The tomb of Solomon Bel-Hench, who was the revered Head Rabbi of Marrakech. I found this interesting video. Muslims and Jews make pilgrimages to this tomb.
Composite of the courtyard
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Tomb of Rabbi
Solomon Bel-Hench
Picnic grounds on the Ourika river which flows all year round. many rickety bridges cross the river to many picnic grounds. Some picnickers put their tables and chairs in the river.
Picnicking on the Ourika River
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River crossing
Have to be very careful
Look straight ahead and not down!
All along the road there are many vendors for food and of course souvenirs. One little shop much like a game arcade for playing hand football and pool. Yael took her hand against the sons of the owners.
The boys won every match!!!
We arrived back at the hotel late afternoon, time for some relaxing time at the pool early dinner and then off to the Fantasia. It was an interesting show, but I guess my expectations were too high. The sounds and colors were fantastic but, in the end I felt a little let down.
Fantasia in Marrakech
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