Marrahech/lmlil Day 11

Well we told our guide yesterday that our itinerary had us going to the village of Imlil back 2 hours in the Atlas mountains. We were thinking of skipping it. Our guide insisted that today we were going to have a local guide take us around Marrakech.   So okay we dressed for a hot day of touring.  We get picked up near our Riad, and about 15 minutes in the car he says sorry he was wrong and we would be going to Imlil today and the tour will be tomorrow. It seemed like  we were going there to take a ride on mules.  Linda was ticked off as she had put on clean clothes and didn't want to ride the mules anyway.   Besides we had just come through the mountains and neither of us  were keen on driving all the way back. She sucked it up and on we went. We were about ½ there when he asked us if we had brought warm clothes as it is chilly up in them there hills. We said no we dressed for a tour of Marrakech. Turns out he didn't bring a jacket either. It was the usual trip, narrow winding road with a lot of traffic either going very slow or trying to go too fast. Actually the scenery was pretty good once we climbed into the valley.  Very green with a stream running beside the road.  When we got there, the guide couldn't park where the mules were, and we needed a bathroom break,  so he took us to a hotel.  At the hotel a young man, we think the owners son, sent for the mules.  Linda wasn't getting on one.  They assured her that her mule would be a little one. Well one came, fine, when the second one came you couldn't tell the difference in size between them.

 Linda is saying, "I can't get up there".  They pulled the first mule over to a staircase which made it easy for me to get on. When Linda saw the staircase she breathed a sigh of relief.  With very little help she managed to get up and onto the mule.  They asked how long did we want to ride, one hour, 2 hours. I think we both said 15 minutes.  Anyway once we had gone a little way we both got comfortable and extended our ride to about 30 minutes. One of handlers would lead each of the mules.  Worked well until one of the handlers tried to nip into a small convenience store.

Linda's  mule was suppose to stop, instead it just kept going . The handler had to run to catch up.   Good thing these animals only go at a walking pace, as neither of us have much experience riding (make that zero riding experience (L).  After our dismount we headed to the hotel for lunch.  On the menu was a Berber omelet.   We both thought we would try it.  It was very good.  They put tomatoes, onions,  and peppers in the bottom of the tagine and pour the egg mixture over top, put the lid on and cook.  I thought it was very tasty.  Abdul of course eats elsewhere and gets a complimentary meal. We have offered to buy him lunch, and he says why spend the money when he can get it for free.  As I said, the only thing is in most places he cannot get the free meal if he eats in the dining area. It is time to go back to Marrakech.  The drive back seemed much easier and quicker than the way there.
Back at Marrakech we have most of the afternoon free so we walked up to Jamaa el Fna square. 

We thought that if we had a look around and got a feel for what we wanted and maybe even some prices with out guide advising us we could do better. The first shop we stopped at put us right. Of course best prices, but he didn't have exactly what we wanted.  Just wait I will get it. Ten minutes later more come but still not right.  He is getting angry, we are frustrated so we walk.  Makes him even madder.  That finished us for a long time.  We just walked along and browsed, trying to appear not interested. We finally plucked up our courage and asked some prices and actually bought something.   It was getting hot so back we go through speedway alley to our Riad Slitine.   After a rest and a little blogging it was dinner time.  Back to last night’s restaurant and more motorbike  antics.  Good food, good price.  Still early enough for another stroll around the square.  Different at night, larger crowds, and more entertainers.   Time to call it a night.