You’ll never die of scurvy in Marrakesh
Djemaa el Fna at night | Photo by Lauren Girardin
In between awkward, head-jerky naps on the monarchy-run CTM bus from Essaouira to Marrakesh, Todd tells me what has him the most excited for Marrakesh.
“They have these guys that squeeze fresh orange juice for three dirhams a glass in the main square. Randy said it’s the sweetest orange juice he’s ever had.”
Randy being the globe-trotting Randall Wood, who co-authored the travel book Moon Nicaragua
After finding a hotel in the medina and locking our packs, we headed to Marrakesh’s boisterous main square, Djemaa el Fna in search of juice.
Todd and fresh juice | Photo by Lauren Girardin
The juice guys, holed up in pairs on carts decorated with fake wagon wheels and covered in layers of fluorescent oranges, spotted us from 300 yards away. While they shouted something in Arabic that I could only assume meant “Come hither!”, they never let up twisting orange halves on a juicer just below our eye level.
Todd ambled over with a huge grin on his face, on a beeline for one cart from the dozen we could see. He ordered his juice, asking for one fresh pressed with no ice (the pre-squeezed is sometimes mixed with squash juice, and ice could bring on another round of Cipro).
When Todd tried to hand over a Dh 100 note for the Dh 3 purchase, the juice guy shook his head, not breaking his barkering through the entire transaction. Todd looked at the juice, then looked at me. I stuck my hands in my pockets and shook my head. No change.
Todd promised we’d return later that day with the dirhams and for more juice. The juice guy nodded and put a sticky glass of juice on the counter for Todd. It was indeed the sweetest we’d ever tasted.
He became our one-and-only orange squeezer for our stay in Marrakesh. We’re dedicated to our juice slinger.
Photos from Marrakesh, Morocco
If you can’t see the photo slide show above, view the photo set on Flickr.
Howdy!
Sounds like you guys are having a good time. Glad to hear you got over the sickness. I was also wondering what are you using for security to look up your bags when you are out of your room?
– Keep up the great posts. Beth
Since Todd and I are traveling as a couple, we’re most often in doubles, not dorms, so security is better than usual for backpackers. We always use little locks to lock our packs’ zips shut and cable lock the packs together and to a piece of furniture. Some folks recommended Pacsafe (http://tinyurl.com/5gddyu), but at almost 2 pounds it seemed more than necessary for keeping mostly our clothes safe.
Also, our friend Dave recommended using small carbiners (http://tinyurl.com/624k2c)- use them to latch your purse to your belt loop, or to latch your stuff to the inside of your bag. Volia! Your stuff is attached to you if anyone tries to do a quick grab-n-snatch.
Awesome… you had an established OJ dealer!!!
BTW, nice photos…
Was in SF yesterday and parked in front of your first home on Eddy. Ahhh the memories! Been keeping up on your posts and sorry to hear you were sick. Stay well.
juice heals all I guess. stay healthy you two – I am loving the posts and pictures from my vicarious trip around the world! :)
-Li