16 Sept - Monday afternoon Marrakesh ( contd)

16 Sept Monday afternoon (contd) at Marrakesh Medina ( market)

This is to continue the earlier entry.

We had 45 mins " free" to weave our way through and into the market stalls to buy or reject whatever we wished.

At the outset I should say I am not one for bargaining.  I prefer to see a set price. There was nothing really that we needed to buy. I had seen pure leather shoes in a "K mart" near our hotel at Fez for 11 Euro (110 dh), similar type of shoes at the Hotel  shop in Marrakesh for 22 Euro (220 dh) and Magnum ice creams cost 22 dh.  They were my reference points - but I didn't need anything.

We decided to go to a stall straight ahead and slightly to the left and then work our way into the never ending labyrinth of intoxicating "wares for sale".

 

Medina at night - not clear but see throng of people

Going to the fist stall, the seller tried to find what "we" were looking for ( J hates shopping).  My reply "just looking", set off a reaction of attempting to interest me in various wares and by the time we had walked out, a runner (s) had been dispatched to stalls further along so they were ready for us.

After a while, I expressed an interest in shoes ( I must be the mother of my shoe loving daughter). So, this message was relayed "up the line" - which was interesting as we could have turned left or right or hard right, hard left but the seemingly free and easy market is very well organised and I'd say there wouldn't be any sole traders.  As we moved to another stall, the price for shoes was 350 dh ( funny money) and I gave a straight out No.  (I think this is what the people on the tour group who went to Spanish J's  ( the tour director - no doubt where he also got his 10% as well) nominated leather place in Fes paid). Immediately, I had a companion directing me to their stall where they had "better".  After a lot of chatter on their part and me saying No, J answering their questions about Australia " Ah Kangaroo", the price became 220 dh.  Still I said No because I really didn't need any more shoes.

Another few stalls, all with a runner or two by our side, we found some beautiful shoes.   Fancy that!  How much?  120 dh. Me: 100 dh each if I buy 2 pairs.  Done. (And then I found a pair for Jonathan so 3 pairs for 300dh or 30 Euros.)

Immediately the cash was paid over, the seller passed it over to the guy behind another stall ( no doubt the accountant) and the transaction was complete.

So even in the markets, in Marrakesh you have lines of control and division of responsibility as well as marketing, selling and public relations . (It's the accountant in me)

The guy was quite fascinated by J's sandals and wanted Jonathan to give them to him.  J was quite shocked "No way!"

We then went on a bit further weaving our way in and out looking for a cap for J, saying no and moving on until we found what J wanted at a very reduced price to the initial offering .

We made our way out through the maze in the appointed time after seeing about 0.01% of what was on offer. It would have been exhausting but exhilarating to have spent longer there but we have no more room in our luggage and I would probably have come away with 30 pairs of shoes and numerous other things. (Sorry Emma, the shoes I bought are not for you!)

This completed a truly remarkable experience in Marrakesh.

Fes was fantastic too.

Marrakesh -Marvellous!!!!