[caption id="attachment_2555" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="Music on Djemaa el-Fna"]<a href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/img_3128.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-2555" title="Music on Djemaa el-Fna" src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/img_3128.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="333" /></a>[/caption]

In a single word, Marrakesh was overwhelming.  There are people everywhere. There's too much to see and too much to negotiate.  The colors are bright and in your face. The sound of drums, stringed instruments and wind instruments permeates the city center and the smells are something else from fresh squeezed orange juice and piles of mint to cooking meat and Moroccan spices.<!--more-->

[caption id="attachment_2553" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="Moroccan Spices "]<a href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/img_2922.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-2553" title="Moroccan Spices " src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/img_2922.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="333" /></a>[/caption]

It's a lot to take in.  Then there are the overly enthusiastic (or some might say aggressive) sales men. And from everywhere and no where the endless stream of bold comments from hello to you're beautiful and the even more creative but grammatically questionable: sexy your ass.  It's a jumble of English, French, Arabic and even Spanish or German.  The whole thing is pretty incredible.

[caption id="attachment_2554" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="Medina in Marrakesh"]<a href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/img_3097.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-2554" title="Medina in Marrakesh" src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/img_3097.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="333" /></a>[/caption]

Even after visiting Istanbul last spring, I was unprepared for the streets of Marrakesh. There's just a lot going on in this city.  Everyone is trying to grab your attention.  The Medina is full of life.  This said, even when we wandered away from the touristy areas (yes, this is a euphemism for making a wrong turn or two and finding ourselves lost-ish), I never felt unsafe.

[caption id="attachment_2557" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="Moroccan Lamps"]<a href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/img_3467.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-2557" title="Moroccan Lamps " src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/img_3467.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="333" /></a>[/caption]

The Medina was seemingly meant for photography but for me it was constant struggle to remember to take photos.  I was very distracted by pottery,  jewelry, pastries, scarves, lamps, tunics, mirrors, spices and even leather shoes.  But, I think that's what great about the city.  There's always more to see, to touch, to smell and to eat.  Well as long as you're willing to engage in friendly banter and some serious negotiating that is.

[caption id="attachment_2558" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="These flowers were growing everywhere "]<a href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/img_3504.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-2558" title="Flowers " src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/img_3504.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="333" /></a>[/caption]

By far the most exciting for me was the energy of the place and the way that the Djemaa el-Fna transforms itself from morning to afternoon and night.