Sold to the highest bidder - 6,000 Camels!

Well finally, my last holiday of the month - Marrakesh!

For whatever reason I have been desperate to visit Marrakesh for a couple of years and despite the pouring rain it did not disappoint ( the rain was typical Maria luck; 2 days later it was 25 degrees and brilliantly sunny!).

We arrived relatively late in the evening, and ignoring our hosts fears that we would get lost, decided to instantly immerse ourselves in the hubbub. Within 2 hours we had pottered about the main market, caused a fight between two henna ladies, got my name and other squiggles written in henna on my hand (which I later found out will last a month!) and almost got sold off to an Arab in return for 6,000 camels. The cheaper option was to sacrifice just my eyes in return for 1,000 camels. Fortunately for Mark and myself, Paul resisted his temptation to open a novelty camel park, by selling his 'daughter', and I was returned safely and in one piece. Dad I can only presume he was going to share some of the camel profits with you?

Anyway it is a Paul tradition to start all holidays with a cocktail, and he was already ahead of me, having started in earnest on the plane with a Bloody Mary (YUK!). Well while in Rome and all that jazz, I decided to up the game and raised a glass of 'Sex on the Beach' - to holidays with great friends! Then back through the maze to our gorgeous little Riad Delfini (left, right at the bins, left at the cats, right under the arch, left, left erm left? anyway we found it)

I woke to the sound of birds (no not cockerels, just random squawky birds) and then had the dawning realisation that the other sound was pouring rain...oh well! I should note Paul had warned me the previous night that I would likely be woken by the many 'calls to prayer' at dawn. Nope not me...I slept right through all that :)

At a little cafe, dripping wet and still smiling

I had been my usual overly optimistic (impractical) self and not packed a coat, umbrella, or single item of warm clothing, and thus was thankful when the rain ceased. Ignoring the obvious chance it might return, I ventured out in a long summer dress, and crochet cardigan. I then had Paul constantly commenting on how cold I must be (he was wearing trousers, shirt, jumper and leather coat); but I adamantly refused to confess that indeed the giant goosebumps, dripping wet dress and chattering teeth were indeed indicators of being cold. Instead I happily pottered about in the puddles, huddled under a new umbrella (all umbrella's in Marrakesh are blue, chequered and automatic) and smiled at the 'experience' of it all. Everything seems rose tinted when you are on holiday. I'm sure I would have moaned at least a little had I been in the same predicament at home.

Many of the locals are very happy to guide you around, which can be a little irritating, if you are the sort who likes to discover things for themselves (rather than be wrongly guided and then expected to pay for the privilege), but in fairness to one, he told us about the Jewish market and I loved it. The Jewish market is supposedly only on for 1 week of the year and the traders of the main square go there to buy their wares from the Jewish traders who have brought their goods in from the Atlas Mountains. Honestly this could be true, or more likely a weave of lies. Either way it was far more ramshackle, and certainly looked more authentic, with lots of locals and no care for basic things, like a non leaking roof, order, or a traffic system for the donkeys. I was in my element and thoroughly enjoyed weaving through the stalls and ducking into ever smaller alleyways only to have to retrace our steps. Certainly if you visit, I hope the Jewish Market is on and you are able to experience it.

Wonderful hustle and bustle

I know I shouldnt but I'm going to get a little 'worky' and must say, that if you ever want an example of great sales technique, go haggle on the markets. I found it hugely satisfying to hear them run through the same techniques I have used in the past. They have a cheeky charm, and know when to play hardball. The prices are certainly hugely inflated for the tourists, but then they know how gullible we can be. In the case of the Jewish market we so enjoyed the experience of it, I know we most certainly got 'ripped off'. But then hey, what is a relatively small amount to us, can really make their day, and I personally can't help but reward great sales technique. I made sure they worked hard for my money, and left smiling :)

Mr Spice Man from the Atlas Mountains

Amongst the things I never knew I needed are:

• Amber (for your knicker drawer - in case you get ran over by a bus and the doctor expects clean and amber smelling knickers?)
• Mixed herb tea - lots of big leaves that requires lots of sugar (not included) in order to taste nice
• Jasmine Balls - look strikingly like something I dung beetle would create but actually a home freshener
• Lipstick - made of poppy flowers, bright red on a terracotta disk
• Annis Tooth Picks - with free Annis seeds that fall out all over your clothes
• Pumice thing - terracotta disk with a funky pattern on it that should sort your feet out
• Two pashminas that I could have bought from Primark for a tenth of the price

Having fun dressing up

Anyway back on topic, this is really a city walking holiday and regardless of the rain, we walked for hours and finally weaved our way back to the raid. I was personally glad to warm up with a hot bath, which was dug into a single block of marble, though actually too small to fit in - again it didn't seem to matter that I had to take in in turns to wash each half of my body, and spent most of the time sitting with my feet stretching vertically up the wall or dangling out of the bath). We then ventured out again to another lovely restaurant, which due to its location, they sent a guide to collect us, walk us to the restaurant and then take us home again. This is a city that really hides it gems, the outside of the buildings often look so run down, identical and basic, but you have no idea what is within. We would have been very lucky to stumble across either of the great restaurants we visited,  and so were very thankful for the guide.

I was knackered and stuffed full of tagine and local puddings by the time we got back, and fell happily into dream land. Our final morning was a sunny one, yay! I even got a tiny strip of sun burn on my arm - proof I have had a hot holiday!!! Though not enough to justify not having another hot holiday (or at least trying for one). Having spent far too long in a shop seriously haggling the price down on a painting, that was realistically far too big, bright and unlikely to be of a subject matter Mark would want in our house. I forced myself away and made our way to the square which was a buzz with people, and looked even nicer in the sun. We took the opportunity to eat more local pastries, drink mint tea and while away the morning people watching. This you could happily do for hours. p.s. I still think of that painting :( Art is an addiction and I could do with a bigger house / own gallery :)

There were lots of orange stalls - and they were massive juice things

The main square

The dried fruit man

To sum it up, I smile every time I think of Marrakesh. It really captured me, and I would love to return. It is a joy to be immersed in!

Mancunian Mischief...

My second holiday of the month and I travelled up north to see my gorgeous little Goddaughter Myla and her ever lovely mum Juliana.

Now what are three girlies to do expect eat lots of biscuits, talk a great deal and hit the shops in search of shoes (and more necessary household items)?

It is always a joy to see them, and at last I have some lovely little pics of Myla:

Giggles

Pudsey look a like

Sleepy head tries a new method of feeding herself. I guess she hoped her pores would soak it up?

Yummy mummy, sharing a hot chocolate - the sacrifices parents have to make!

Ahh hugs from the cutie :-)

 

Oh and how could I resist adding one of little Ella masquerading as Myla (sorry it is on the wonk)

 

Marvellous Holiday Mischief - Finnish Fun

Yay, I finally spread my little wings and managed to cram 3 holidays into March! I'm certainly making up for lost time :) You should know by now, to grab a coffee and some biscuits because I cant help but whitter on, even when I'm writing....

Finland

So after 2 years of trying to arrange a holiday to a wonderfully warm place like Marrakesh with my friend Ele, she tells me she is in Vaasa, Finland for a week with work, and on the spur, I decide to join her! Of all the places to choose, freezy Finland was not the obvious choice, but this proved a great example, that the most important aspect of any holiday is the company.

So what Finnish mischief....? Well really we were very well behaved...boring I know...but it was work...well ok, I confess, by Thursday I had let my hair down. Ele did her hour of work, and the rest of the week we were spoilt rotten by the lovely Johan and Sauli. I hope we contributed to their 'project', they certainly entertained us very well, with amusing tales, great trips about the town and surrounding areas, food and alcohol galore (gosh the Finnish can drink!), and a sauna almost everyday.

So before I get to the messy hair down bit (which is likely the only bit you are interested in), lets go through the highlights:

Visiting the frozen sea at sunset - stunning and very odd to be walking on water

Freezy cuddles on the sea

Ele experiencing her first snow angel! 

 

I joined in too, and we were both freezing afterwards, only to find out that Johans car had got stuck in the snow, so we had to push it out. Hmm metal plus no gloves in -10 degrees. I honestly thought my pinki finger had frost bite :)

Fortunately we had a sauna in our hotel room, so soon warmed up! Luxury!!! Oh yes and I do remember my first ever lobster dinner...I could really get used to Finnish hospitality.

I've already forgotten the order of the days/weeks activities, but I think the following day included:

Unusual sculpture on the sea, at a restaurant run by a french/belguim chap

Drinks with Suali (left) and Johan (right)

Meeting up with Ele's lovely friend Ino (this is very unlikely to be the correct spelling - sorry)

As a side note, do remember to collect your pennies before you head to Finland for a booze up - ouch!

Oh gosh and its Thursday already! So yes we drove to Tampere. I was constantly looking out for Moose (I kicking myself for missing one on Tuesday - well I did see a moose leg but not sure that really counts) and Ele was trying catch up on sleep having had about 4 hours sleep the night before (naughty stop out :P ). I had foolishly enlightened Sauli and Johan to the British tradition of Pub Crawls, and thus this was the plan, with hilarious results:

Being the cultured critters we are, we decided to do a little cheese and wine tasting before we hit the pubs. I can concur that 'Plan B' is a wonderfully full bodied red wine, and soft cheese is yummy is various forms.

 

Sadly we followed this with tequila and champagne...

erm...slightly Norfolk love here

With 2 glasses of wine, 2 tequilas and 1 glass of champagne in me I found everything funny, regardless of the reality

By the third pub, it was cigars all round

Ele was onto her third pull of the evening - she is honestly the best man magnet I know!

Gosh I look tipsy! This is an innocent method of keeping warm in -16 degrees

Well anyway we made it back to the hotel at 5am, had an interesting 'special' surprise from Sauli (thanks I will never look at the Russian flag in the same way), and escaped back to our room, for all of 4 hours sleep. God knows how the boys got up and attended a meeting at 9am. We were like zombies, but still looked like our mischievous selves at breakfast!

p.s. I was getting into the Rugby mood - yay we thrashed them!!! Just had to say it :-)

Anyway, all in all it was an amazing holiday, I would certainly recommend it and go back again. Fingers crossed Johan and Sauli make it to Norwich sometime - for the Norwich Project (god that is going to be messy).