So while I might have lost my camera in an alfalfa field in Ostia, I figured that I could use the almighty powers of Google to track down images that might substitute for whatever photos I might have taken, so here it goes.
I began my day with a run out to the south amongst the olive groves that are situated down there. Dusty, yes. Camels, yes. But it was pretty deserted and not at all an unpleasant run.
Properly relaxed, I headed out to do some touristing and shopping in the souks. As for the touristing, I headed through the Jemaa el Fna, which, as always, was filled with spectacles such as snake charmers and various singers, henna-workers, and orange juice stands.
From there, I headed over to the Koutoubia Mosque, which is dominated by its rather impressive minaret that can be seen across the city.
And then it was off to shop in the souks! Colors and smells abounded. If you so much as display the smallest bit of interest in what a shopkeeper might be selling, you then have to tell the shopkeeper "no, I'm not interested" a dozen times. They're friendly, but insistent.
At the end of my day, I ended up in a rug store. Now I've been on the lookout for a rug for the new house, so I decided to look into a rather reputable looking place. The owner was quite hospitable (as are most merchants in Marrakesh). He started having numerous rugs of all different sorts brought out for me to inspect. I was not so much a fan of the ones from the Middle and High Atlas (too rich for my tastes), but when I indicated that I did like the relative simplicity of the Berber style, the merchant called for mint tea to begin what he called "negotiations" (not bartering...that was something for the market). He started with a price of 4000 dirhams, which was far more than I was willing to pay. I countered with 800. "Ah, but that is far to low," he said, "how about 3000?"
Seeing that he was willing to knock the price down so far on the first round, I raised my price to 1000. "Ah but observe the dyes and the hand-stitching of the rug" he protested, as he poured more mint tea.
"I'm sorry, but I am merely a graduate student with not much money."
"In that case, I will lower my price to 2400, which is a great deal."
"Well, I suppose I could go to 1200, but not any higher."
"This is ruinous, but I will sell this to you for 2000, which is what I ask for one of these poor-quality rugs," he countered, gesturing at a rug that was clearly a cut or two below the one that was being negotiated for.
"Well, you drive a hard bargain, sir. I will go up to 1500 dirhams, but not any higher."
"That offer is quite low, are you sure you do not value the quality of the craftsmanship higher?"
"It is finely made, but it is not a large rug (it was approximately 1x2.5 meters). 1500 is the absolutel highest I can allow myself to bid."
"That is a low price but you seem to be a nice person. 1500 dirhams it will be."
And so, I got a rug.
As I ate my dinner on the rooftop of my hostel, I reflected that it had been a good day. I spent more money so far than I had wanted, but it was quite a pleasant day nevertheless.
I began my day with a run out to the south amongst the olive groves that are situated down there. Dusty, yes. Camels, yes. But it was pretty deserted and not at all an unpleasant run.
When I got back to my hostel, I chose to spend the next several hours reclining by the pool. Yes, the pool. Quite idyllic, if you ask me.
From there, I headed over to the Koutoubia Mosque, which is dominated by its rather impressive minaret that can be seen across the city.
And then it was off to shop in the souks! Colors and smells abounded. If you so much as display the smallest bit of interest in what a shopkeeper might be selling, you then have to tell the shopkeeper "no, I'm not interested" a dozen times. They're friendly, but insistent.
At the end of my day, I ended up in a rug store. Now I've been on the lookout for a rug for the new house, so I decided to look into a rather reputable looking place. The owner was quite hospitable (as are most merchants in Marrakesh). He started having numerous rugs of all different sorts brought out for me to inspect. I was not so much a fan of the ones from the Middle and High Atlas (too rich for my tastes), but when I indicated that I did like the relative simplicity of the Berber style, the merchant called for mint tea to begin what he called "negotiations" (not bartering...that was something for the market). He started with a price of 4000 dirhams, which was far more than I was willing to pay. I countered with 800. "Ah, but that is far to low," he said, "how about 3000?"
Seeing that he was willing to knock the price down so far on the first round, I raised my price to 1000. "Ah but observe the dyes and the hand-stitching of the rug" he protested, as he poured more mint tea.
"I'm sorry, but I am merely a graduate student with not much money."
"In that case, I will lower my price to 2400, which is a great deal."
"Well, I suppose I could go to 1200, but not any higher."
"This is ruinous, but I will sell this to you for 2000, which is what I ask for one of these poor-quality rugs," he countered, gesturing at a rug that was clearly a cut or two below the one that was being negotiated for.
"Well, you drive a hard bargain, sir. I will go up to 1500 dirhams, but not any higher."
"That offer is quite low, are you sure you do not value the quality of the craftsmanship higher?"
"It is finely made, but it is not a large rug (it was approximately 1x2.5 meters). 1500 is the absolutel highest I can allow myself to bid."
"That is a low price but you seem to be a nice person. 1500 dirhams it will be."
And so, I got a rug.
As I ate my dinner on the rooftop of my hostel, I reflected that it had been a good day. I spent more money so far than I had wanted, but it was quite a pleasant day nevertheless.
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