Of all the gin joints in all the world, thirsty in Morocco 29/04/25

As our Riad is right in the middle of the many souks we don't have any choice but walk through them, daunting though this is. The challenges are multiheaded;  the vendors pushing their wares, the motorcycles constantly weaving through, pack mules, laden hand carts and the occasional ambitious delivery vans. Elbows, toes, ears and pockets are most at risk here. 

These areas go back to medieval times and were basically manufactoring workshops where the same trades clustered together hence the tanneries, the cloth dyers, the tinsmiths, the tailors, etc each had their own locale. Make and sell leads to retail that attracts crowds who are serviced by the eating and drinking outlets. Local people still rely on these areas but, of course now a large proportion are tourists, to whom many of the outlets cater. 

It's not easy to capture the sensation of exploring the maze with a camera but here are my efforts. 

Right in the middle of the bustle there is an oasis of peace and tranquility. Appropriately it is called Le Jardin Secret.  One of the most beautiful palaces in the Medina but everything has been restored between 2012 and 2015. The site previous to the restoration was a tip full of rubbish and unscheduled buildings. The incredible hydraulic system almost completely lost. The lost garden also had virtually no plants. Thanks to the dedication of experts and donations, phoenix-like the gardens and palaces live again to thrill and fascinate. Like all great Islamic architecture it's the relationship of the water, the air and the light that delivers the magic. This first picture is taken from above, looking down on the traditional Islamic garden and across to the second palace.

You can see the green zellige tiling and the bejmat terracotta bricks. This layout has been traditional in Morocco since the C12 and represents heaven. This is why it is a sacred space laid out along strict geometric lines with its four part structure surrounded by walkways and a series of water channels, pools and fountains. The water comes from the Atlas mountains along specially constructed channels and aqueducts. The whole system is gravity fed and needs no external power. The picture below is looking at the reverse of the first 

The second garden is called the exotic garden and has plants from all over the world. 

A small square where the light of day gets the chance to shine down. These are the hand carts that are used for delivering everything from bags of cement to tourists suitcases. 

The usefulness of some objects is not immediately apparent. Anyone suggest what the blue items in the foreground might be for?

Enough on the souqs, after we are living right in the middle of them.