The Lure of the Medina

Part 1

My last full day in Morocco, a thing happened as I was wandering about inside the medina. Here’s the first half of the story.

Day five in Morocco. I’m proud of myself for the way I’ve grown more familiar with these crazy, dimly lit lanes and corridors inside the walled-off Medina. I’ve grown familiar with a couple of the vendors. At the stairwell with the street sign marking it as “Habibi,” the man selling used clothing smiles and says “Hola” when he sees me. I’m conspicuous; people assume I’m Spanish.

I’ve gotten better at wayfinding. The route to my riad has a street food vendor. I’ve had a burrito-type thing with chicken and cheese, which I ordered by pointing to a picture on the wall. Also on the route is a couple who sell cookies that all seem to be made with ground nuts instead of flour; the wife chats with me in French. I know the turn to my riad is coming up on the left when I pass the vendor with a display of beach umbrellas.