16 Sept Monday second and final day at Marrakesh - the Hotel

There are so many things that I still have to write about as they have been so fascinating but I am still playing 'catching up'.  However despite this, I want to relate something of this wonderful day today in Marrakesh.

We saw some incredible things this ave but it is this morning's events at our hotel that I want to relate to you.
Firstly, the Hotel is relatively old in the bedrooms ( and we asked to be moved when we checked in because of the smell from the plumbing as we opened the door).  That aside, it has a lovely foyer and common areas.

We were quite happy that we had decided not to on the optional tour this morning and went for a long walk, found a place to have a good Americano coffee, saw some camels, had taxis stopping as we walked to ask if we wanted a ride, I found a shop with "goodies", we walked some more and seemed to get lost, got instructions from a policeman ( never trust a policeman in Morocco), found our own way back to the hotel.

We were then waiting in the lobby with another couple  ( Christina and Peter ) on the tour who hadn't gone on the morning trip either.  We had to rejoin the others at 11am.  As we were waiting a guest came into the hotel with a beautiful gown hanging up in a clear bag.  Christina remarked how superb  it looked.  The lady spoke French not English so Jonathan did the translation.  Out of the blue the lady asked Christina if she would like to try the gown on ( in the lobby ) as you could just put it on over your clothes.  Christina was quite stunned and said (via J) yes.  The gown was designer made and cost over 600 Euros.  It was wonderful.  I could have tried it on as well - it was a one size fits many type of thing  - but I said no.  We got Christina to pose while we took photos and we remarked how beautiful she looked with her joggers and this beautiful gown.  Next minute the lady said she was going to get the shoes to go with it.

When the shoes came, we almost died.  You could tell they were so expensive.  I doubt I would even 

be able to afford the box.  The heels were higher than an iPhone and Christina could barely walk in them as they had about a 1inch platform too.   When we were putting the shoes back in the box, we noticed the jewel under the shoe!  We took photos of the shoes being worn, in the box, on the side etc and Christina said it was something one could only dream about.  Remember she couldn't walk in the shoes and they were too big for her.  Jonathan relayed all this to the lady as we thanked her for the pleasure we had had.  The next thing that happened almost made us fall through the floor.  The lady insisted that Christina should have the shoes as a gift.

At that stage the local guide came in and he said it would be disrespectful to refuse the gift.  We were quite dumbfounded and Christina was almost crying.  The guide later said they were Italian shoes that would have cost at least 700 Euros.

It was an incredible experience.  Christina will give the shoes to her daughter in law.  Peter, Christina's husband watched all this silently. Jonathan enjoyed being the interpreter, I enjoyed being part of such a wonderful unexpected event that gave so much pleasure to everyone.