Marrakech: A Mystical City (Morocco part I)

This city is a perfect setting to spice up a mystery novel.

24.11.2008 - 27.11.2008
View Morocco 2008 & France 2008 on AC Frieden's travel map.

MARRAKECH, Morocco (Nov. 24-27, 2008) -- I arrived in Marrakech from Paris and was instantly seduced by the city's charm, its history, its pleasant weather and the friendly people who call this magical place home. These are the photos that capture some of the city's flavor. My goal was to find scenes for a crime novel that I am writing, as well as scenes and settings for an anthology contribution (also a mystery). So unlike many of the places I've visited over the past year, I arrived with a clean slate, no existing chapter that needed to be tweaked by the in-person visit. This was all about gathering the environment and writing something from scratch.

Above: Aerial view of the Medina from my plane (which did one missed approached before landing).

Above: The ancient walls around the Medina.

Above: One of the gates into the Medina.

THE MEDINA, THE SOUKS AND THE JEMAA EL FNA

Above: The alleys of the Medina are tight and busy.

Above/below: The vast Jemaa El Fna square.

Above: Snake charmers in the Jemaa El Fna.

Above: Selling olives, nuts and dates.

Above: Horses waiting for tourists.

RIAD CAMILIA (where I stayed)

This was a spacious, magical residence of just four rooms, managed by an efficient French expatriot. It served as an excellent "HQ" for the day-long journeys to explore the city and region.