Live post. Work in Progress. Last Update: July 3, 2025

I shall start the post with something that technically might not be a door or a window, but is still strongly associated in my memory as a “Port of Entry” for Morocco, and indeed a “Checkpoint” for the various stages of this trip.

The Kasbah Mosque, Marrakesh. It was on this square, on Rue de La Kasbah, that we were welcomed to this city (and the country) by this green obelisk with its own foliage.

Our riad, Riad les Rêves d’Amélie, was right there on that square. These riad stays turned out to be an experience unlike any I have had before coming to Morocco. What made it special was the coziness of the architecture and the personal hospitality. Another peculiar thing with riads: they all just seemed to be whole magical worlds of splendour, replete oases, hidden inside the earthy medina (i.e. old city) walls.

Rose coloured walls accented with dark green was a scheme prevalent throughout the country and the whole of Morocco, seemed to be coloured in rose, . . . except for a very special place as it turned out, but I’ll come to that in due time.

We stepped out of “Les Rêves”, back into the town, and what encountered out there were relentless dreams of fantastical dimensions and impossible fractals. My rational mind was having a trouble deciphering the physics in whatever I saw.

The Saadian Tombs were the first stop, and they were an introduction to the infinitely intricate workmanship and ornamentation ubiquitous in Morocco.

That is, even if it is just the pereferal wall with simple building material. This shot was right next to the previous one.

And then again, everywhere, as one steps out on the street.

The next stop for the day was the Bahia Palace. The courtyard and the eroded, perforated construction gave me the first look-and-feel of my of understanding of North Africa.

The inner courtyard had some very intricate mashrabiya, all of which seemed to be distinct and unique. That’s how you could tell the picture below is not just a mirror image.

And no element is there to exist simply, every frame is a saga.

Ornamentations inside the Main Hall. Just when you think simpler, remember every tile here was put one after another after another.

Moving on, there were are other labyrinths to solve.

After getting back on the madina streets, what caught my attention were the uneven window placements, which still bewilders me. Perhaps someone can let me know the reason.

After looking at all the mind bending patterns, perhaps especially because of that, I found something profoundly attractive about a simple fixture with texture coming out of years of use and wear.

The first day ended for us with the sun coming down on the iconic minaret of Marrakesh, the Kutubiyya Mosque, with its famous view from Jemaa el-Fnaa.

The next day started with a visit to Musée de la Palmeraie, away from the hustle of the Madina, to the outskirts of Marrakesh, in the calm of nature. Palmeraie means palm grove, but was we discovered there was the most well curated and densest cactus grove I have ever seen. And they were in the bloom.

Next we head to Gueliz District, the chic part of Marrakesh, and is scattered with contemporary art galleries.

There were other places which grew natural patterns through time

Last Update June 3, 2025. To be continued.