MARRAKECH

As mentioned before, Marrkech was full of winding narrow alleyways.  They were packed with even narrower shops having everything from crappy souvenirs to expensive jewelry (fashioned from Moroccan stones) to craftsmen who still baked and made metal and leather goods the traditional way.  But there were some big things as well, like palaces

and mosques

and fountains.

After checking out the big stuff all morning, we broke for lunch and ate in a riad restaurant.

A riad is an interior courtyard with an open roof–the idea being to provide shelter from the bustle of the street but still enjoy the outdoors.

At night, the food stands take over.

One after another after another, each with a long picnic table, a grill and an impressive display of food . . .

. . . and in my case, an owner who I didn’t even need to ask to pose for a picture.