Marrakesh or Marrakech

With its Berber heritage, this ochre and rose city is the intersection of Arabia, Europe and Africa. Its stucco walls are cooling and its marquetry and mosaics are intricate. Behind each door can be the secret of blooming hibiscus or fountains bathed in sunlight. You can get lost in the alleyways of the souks in the medina, the old city which was the epicenter of the caravan routes. Caravaners stayed at fondouks, inns especially for them as they conducted their business and traded their wares. The Moroccan government has renovated several of these buildings so that metal workers, leather craftsmen and candle makers can have workshops. The haunting call to prayer sounds five times a day. People flock to the mosques clad in a mix of western wear or babouches (soft slippers), caftans and djellabas (hooded robes). We visit an old synagogue and marvel at an ancient Torah inscribed on giraffe skin. We drink tomato and orange juice and taste dates, quince and olives.