Ailsa has set a challenge this week that I couldn’t resist. I love street markets, well any market really đ this is taken at Rahba Kedima in Marrakech. It’s a wide square with little shops around the edge selling spices, caged birds, turtles and Argan oil – my main purchase. You can also find all you need for black magic should you so desire! Herbs, leeches, dried scorpions and other bizarre unmentionables, its all here. The centre of the square is occupied by Berber women selling their crafts, baskets of all shapes and sizes and knitted hats, sitting on the ground. I bought several warm, brightly coloured hats, with the intention of wearing them in winter but haven’t so far, there’s a surprise. The women are there until very late at night and are quite pushy with tourists, I imagine they have it pretty tough. These are the spice girls.
For more travel market photos and to join in visit http://wheresmybackpack.com/2012/05/25/street-markets/
Lucid Gypsy 
Fabulous, Gilly, I love that this is taken at night, it adds to the atmosphere. I am all about the Argan oil, it works wonders for my hands! Fascinating stuff about the ingredients for black magic too. Really fun photo of the Spice Girls, couldn’t see Posh Spice in the photo though đ
She was stood beside Scary as sh/me took the photo! Argan is great for hair as well đ
Haha, good answer! Must try Argan on my hair now, thanks for the tip!
Excellent post, Gilly – I love the busy, nighttime picture and your humourous description. What do you use the Argan oil for? đ
Argan is for all of the body and hair, its just beginning to be used in the UK etc – discovered as Shea butter was, just hope no-one gets ripped off in the process!
Lovely photo for the challenge. Yes, Marrakech is very different and exotic.
Thanks, I love it there, been twice and would love to go back!
Cool! I want to see it!
And hear, smell and taste it!
Great post Gilly. The first thing I thought was I wish I could sit cross-legged like that! Love all those wonderful spices.
Even when I did yoga I couldn’t do a cross leg for long!
Gilly, you’ve been to so many fantastic locations!! Love this!! maggie came back from her year around the world with marvelous stories of street markets throughout asia and indonesia! definitely will forward this to her!
Marrakech is an easy one from the UK, not too expensive and the nearest place for some winter sun. Asian markets are awesome!
love the caption, and a great shot
Thanks so much!
I’ve been hearing about Argan oil lately but nothing of substance and then there’s the worry about getting ripped off.
The photo of the market is fabulous. I can smell all those spices. Mmmm.
I heard recently of a local hairdresser selling it for about ÂŁ20 a bottle, the same size as I bought for around ÂŁ2.50 and it makes me cross that the profit goes to the wrong people.
Nice shot for this one Gilly I love to see busy people đ
I enjoy your look at life so much that I have nominated you for the Illuminating Blogger Award! Visit http://foodstoriesblog.com/illuminating-blogger-award/ to find out more.
Thank you so much, I am very far behind with awards and even my comments at the mo but hope to catch up eventually! đ
The market you have pictured reminds me of some of the outside bazaars that they hold in Richmond on occasion. Although, I suspect in Marrakech this is a daily scene, whereas in Richmond, our outdoor markets are usually planned events. Never-the-less, It is cool to compare them. Are there live musicians int the background at the marketplace in Marrakech, Gilly? I’m just curious. Here, they might have several bands playing, mainly to attract possible bookings for paid gigs later on, but they still add to the liveliness of the event(s). I’m sure the prices there are much more reasonable than here on all of those handmade goodies. Wonderful photo! You managed to capture the scene very nicely. đ
I don’t think there was any music in Rabha Kedima but in Jemaa El’fna by night there is all sorts going on! It is an everyday event and very vibrabt. Prices? well not the cheapest but okay, haggling is part of the game of course but fun đ I love Marrakech!
full of atmosphere, i can almost smell the spices and feel the air of the market!
Christine you would love it, it’s right up your street!
I use Argan oil in my own and my daughter’s hair. I buy it at our local chain drug store, so it’s nice to get a glimpse of the world it really comes from! Also, is the woman in front (wearing blue) selling some kind of flute?
Ah I’ve never seen it here except as an ingredient but someone told me that hairdressers are starting to sell it,very expensively! I’m told it only grows in Morocco and Mexico. I’m not sure what she is selling but no they aren’t flutes. If you click to make it bigger it looks like a reel of some sort of fibre? Wicker for baskets?
I love Marrakesh and Djemaa el Fna at the heart of the city is an amazing place by night – all fire-eaters, snake charmers, food stalls and pedlars. The hotel I stayed in was right on the square and sitting on the terrace was an amazing experience. thanks for the reminder. x
I love it too and would love to go a third time! was easy when I could fly from Bristol for a few days!
Those were the days, except the last time I went from Bristol (about 3 years ago) we were delayed in Casablanca of all places đŚ
Of all the bars … đ
It would have been perfect if we’d been allowed out of the transit lounge ……! And there was no piano unfortunately as I’m sure one of us would have attempted to play!
Now that is my type of market…
Ahh, amazing street market at night. So crowded, just like in Indonesia. Nice…
it’s a busy place, I hope they do well, really interesting photo thanks
Finally, we get to meet the real “spice girls.” Love the street markets. There also full of fun surprises that we don’t see in groceries. A wonderful photo depicting real life. Have a blessed day.
wonderful shot. there’s so much captured in the shot, almost like a dance.
Fabulous image – Spice girls – I love it!
The original spice girls! Lovely post Gilly đ
This week’s travel challenge is a tricky one, but I bet you’re up to it! xxx Ailsa http://wheresmybackpack.com/2012/06/01/rhythm/