Any excuse to post a picture of amazing clouds (I know, clouds again).
This is a picture of the street I live on. It’s so familiar to me, but let me see if I can look at it from an outsider’s perspective.
The palm trees: are kind of like cows in India, we just let them be, even in the middle of the road.
The houses: all painted an earth hue, cause that’s the law around these parts. That’s why they call Marrakesh the Red City. The houses here tend to be three stories high, with the bottom floor sunken 2/3 of the way into the ground. This basement is called “la cave” and it keeps a constant temperature all year round. We live in a “cave”, our very own little hobbit’s grotto, and I like the moderate temperature, but miss sunlight flooding in the window.
Atop the houses, satellite dishes: these are the main players in the “information revolution” that has swept through Morocco since the late 90’s (the other player being? Yes, the internet). These giant receptacles bring us news from all different perspectives, and of course, Turkish soap operas dubbed in Arabic.
The sidewalks: are coveted by the homeowners as a little extension of their property, so they are possessively filled with shrubbery, leaving a narrow 2 feet of sidewalk for pedestrians. This is why going for a walk with my kids is a battle for life or death, as I’m always in fear that one of them will trip and tumble into the street.
I promise to get back to interesting topics very very soon.
Until then, I leave you with the very fascinating subject of my street, to ponder and analyze. Peace to you my friends!
Life in Marrakesh 
Yes, this is really interesting!
So different from both the lovely countryside and the bustling medina.
I think where you live is probably more ‘typical’ than either of the above.
I used to laugh that we had all sorts of plants on the roof
(as well as the washing drying!)
Long before it became mandatory, the special redish Marrakesh color (3akri, not really red but ochre) was imposed by local sunlight conditions as it was found to largely subdue the harsh reflections on summer days.
The same summer days made inhabitants build thick dirt insulating walls. And lacking the possibility of using this technique in modern dwellings, marrakshis had to become semi troglodites at least in the ground floors.
As for the palm trees, can any one imagine the city without them. As it is the old oasis is already quite diminished. So let’s let them grow in peace.
Love your blog, and looking at previous entries- it sounds like you had a great time down in the desert- hope our desert camp man looked after you!
Did you manage to get any photographs of the camp itself?
Look forward to your next posts.
I found your blog by chance and had intended only to say hello. I was lured by your prior posts and stayed much longer than I planned. I really like your blog and will be back often. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings…Mary
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL BLOCK TO LIVE ON!
Wow, it is a WONDERFUL street!! I love it!! Its soo pretty masha’allah!
Elizabeth, we lived in the medina for a couple of years, it was so alive, not like this calm residential neighborhood where we live now (which I appreciate in its own rite). Once the kids came along I found the medina too challenging.
Ahmed, thanks for your comment, which is, as always, informative and well worded. I agree, I love and cherish the palm trees that are left!
Angela, I did get some photos of the camp. Do you need me to email them to you?
Mary, glad you found something to look at. You have a yummy blog. I will go there when I am lacking inspiration in the kitchen (i.e. often).
Gil, thanks, your blog is cool! Always wondered if cab drivers have an interesting time of it, and it seems like they do!
The flower, thanks, I really appreciate this street too. It’s only few minutes from kids’ school and work. We often walk or ride bikes. Another reason I love living in Marrakesh.
masha’allah…it’s NOTHING like an Algerian street!!!
Love your blog by the way…..
xxc
It looks gorgeous ma sha Allah! I’d love to see more of Marakesh! The one thing that comes to my mind when I think of it is that big market square! In sha Allah I get to see Marakesh for real one day.
Great photo! It’s especially interesting for me because I lived for ten years in that house in the middle of the picture with the triangular roof!
Mary M in Marrakesh