The Virtues of Under-Preparation
I used to appear before a judge who would snark to fumbling lawyers (never me!) “Well counselor, you’ve successfully avoided the perils of over-preparation”. The voice of Judge Rothwax floated through my head today as I realized I had no firm arrangements in place for the next week. That turned out to be a good thing as I now have no arrangements to cancel.
After a breakfast of crepe and honey on the rooftop terrace
I set off with Kemal, my unofficial guide for an orientation tour of Marrakech highlights. The medina was already stirring to life, meaning that motorcycles and bikes were swarming around like bees on meth. I kept wanting to stop in the souks and watch the carvers, leather workers and other artisans but no there was tourism to accomplish. Must hurry.
First stop was the Ben Youssef Madrasah with 130 tiny rooms for the 16th century students housed there in its heyday.
Then it was on to the Badia Palace which required some imagination to conjure up its former glory. Loved the view of Marrakech from the top. So do the storks.
I was ready to call it a morning but Kemal urged me on to the Bahia Palace. I walked into the elaborately tiled interior, slightly stunned by the crush of tourists. Before I knew it I was toppling over a curb onto my ankle. The pain was excruciating. A Dutch couple helped me outside where Kemal was waiting. He quickly found a taxi which deposited us at the main square but there was still a kilometer to walk to the road. Impossible. What to do? Resourceful Kemal found a guy with a kind of wheelbarrow and off we went!
So now it’s rest, ice, ibuprofen and satellite TV with a lot of channels that begin with Al. And not even any alcohol in the vicinity to take the edge off. I hope I can spend the rest of my time on the back of a camel.
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