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BERBER DOG |
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 Vendors sell everything from rugs to baskets in the Marrakesh market. © David Muenker |
The market was like an outdoor shopping mall. Vendors were selling all sorts of goods.
With nose to the ground, Sonya sniffed her way from one stall to the next. She smelled leather slippers, shoes and bags.
She sniffed the sweet grassy aroma of piles of baskets. Her nostrils filled with the rich aromas of the mounds of colorful spices displayed on a carpet.
She lifted her head and looked around to get her bearings. Her heart started beating fast with worry.
She was in the middle of a huge crowd of shoppers, vendors and street performers. And she had no idea where she was.
"You look lost," a Moroccan boy said to Sonya. "It's easy to get lost here. My name is Hakim. Would you like me to show you around?"
 Mounds of spices have rich aromas. © David Muenker |
"Yes! Thanks! My name is Sonya," she sighed with relief.
"Follow me." Feeling safe again, Sonya accompanied Hakim.
Street vendors were cooking lamb and other meals. The delicious smell made Sonya's tongue tingle.
"That's making me hungry." She smacked her lips.
"Nearby, a man wearing a turban and a striped robe sat cross-legged on a carpet. He held a musical instrument in his hands.
Sonya pranced toward the carpet, and then suddenly stopped. She sensed danger. Something odd was on the rug in front of the man.
Cautiously she inched forward and then she saw them. Two cobra snakes were on the carpet.
 Sonya watches a snake charmer put snakes in a trance with the music of his flute. © 2007 Ravay Snow |
"What's that?"
"A snake charmer plays his flute. The music makes the cobras go into a trance."
"A trance?"
"Yeah. You know how it feels when you're daydreaming? It's like that."
"OK."
"When the music begins, the cobras lift their heads. Then they start to uncoil their bodies," Hakim explained. "Watch."
"Wow! The snakes are dancing up toward the sky!" Sonya exclaimed. "They're really tall - I mean long. Will they bite?"
"We're safe while they're in a trance."
When the music stopped, the snakes collapsed into coils. Hakim led Sonya throughout the marketplace.
"In the old days, merchants brought their goods here on camel caravans," boy told her.
Curious people formed a circle around a fire eater. Sonya watched in wonder as he spewed huge flames from his mouth. "How does he do that?"
 A fire eater blows huge flames. © David Muenker |
"Magic!" Hakim replied.
They listened to storytellers. They watched fascinating magicians, dancers and jugglers.
"What do you want to see next?" Hakim asked.
"I want to see the Sahara Desert!" Sonya replied.
"It's beautiful. You'll need a camel. "
"Why?
"To ride on the dunes. The sand is so soft that you would sink in it up to your belly," Hakim said. "It would take you forever to get anywhere!"
"And you need to meet some Berbers to take you to the desert."
"What are Berbers?"
"They are the nomads who have lived here forever. They know how to travel on the desert."
"How do I find a Berber?" Sonya asked.
"My grandmother's people are Berbers. She can help us. You'll need me to translate for you."
"When can we go?"
"We'll visit grandmother right now. She lives in the old historic district of Marrakesh."
Sonya followed Hakim down a narrow cobblestone street. They turned one corner, then another and another.
"These streets are like a maze. How do you find your way?"
"I've lived here all my life. I know all the houses and stores," Hakim explained. "But visitors get lost if they don't have a guide."
 The streets of the historic city are like a maze. © David Muenker |
Sonya made sure she stayed close to Hakim. They squeezed past a donkey loaded with packages.
Women wearing head scarves and long robes walked by. Some of them wore veils over their faces.
"Here's my grandmother's house." Hakim led Sonya through a beautiful wood doorway.
"Hakim! Come have some sweets," a gentle voice called out. "Who's your friend?"
While they enjoyed pastries, Hakim told his grandmother about Sonya's wish to see the Sahara Desert.
"You're in luck. Your uncle is going to Ouarzazat tomorrow to take goods to your cousins," the grandmother said. "You can ride with him there. Your cousins can get you to the desert."
"Whoopee, we're going to the Sahara!" Hakim shouted.
"Woof!" Sonya replied, jumping and spinning with glee.
Note: This story is fiction based on fact.
Go to Sonya's Picks for links to websites about the sights and sounds of this World Heritage Site.
Test your understanding of words used in this story with the Word Match game.
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Photographs ©2005-2010 David Muenker. Text ©2005-2010 Rose Muenker. Illustrations ©2005-2010 Ravay Snow Any use without express written permission is illegal and punishable by law. All rights reserved. Site designed and developed by Josh Bergman. |
