julienpaul's photostream  

Apparently the symbol of Marrakech, though I only walked past it on the final day.

Full of tourists sunbathing.

Tiles, tiles, arches and tiles. Don't get me wrong, they were stunning.

Scraping off the fat from the leather.

I was walking to towards the tannery district, trying to ignore the numerous attempts to lead me this way or that with people saying "the museum is this way" when it was clearly the other way. Finally, having walked so fast without daring to take out a map, I realised I was lost. At this point, a young man appeared, telling me if I wanted to go to the main square it was the wrong direction. I finally gave in and told him I was looking for the tanneries. He set off into the maze of streets, with me following.

After fifteen minutes and many turns we arrived at one of the tanneries (there was a moment in a small laneway where I realised he could hit me over the head and no one would notice..).

The first thing to hit you in the stench.

A second guide picked up the relay, giving me some mint to crush to cover the smell, and he started talking about the various processes (getting rid of the fur, the fat, putting it in pigeon shit to soften it).

The tour ended up in leather shop (obviously), where the haggling began. I walked out with a bag that was a 10th of the starting price. Admittedly, I am not sure I needed it, but oh well...

The two guides were waiting for me outside and they led me for half an hour back to the main square. On the way we walked through the more "authentic" food souks, where brightly coloured chicks were being sold by the box full.