The red hues of Marrakech

Perhaps it’s because spring is around the corner, but the overflowing reds and pinks, from the cathedral to the walls of residential houses, streets, and alleys, reminds me of peach blossoms, red firecrackers, and old Tet memories. Marrakech is Morocco’s fourth largest city, after Casablanca, Fes, and Tangier. It was the country’s capital until the 13th century and is now an important commercial and art center. In Marrakech, everyone can find happiness and learn new things. Leather goods, handicrafts, spices, silks, wool, and carpets can be found in markets filled with sounds, lights, and scents. Meanwhile, those who love art and architecture will be captivated by Yves Saint Laurent’s Jardin Majorelle, the Bahia Palace, the Ben Youssef Islamic Academy, the Dar Si Said Museum, the Saadian Mausoleum, and the Museum of Marrakesh. With its vibrant scenes of daily life, the medina (the walled old town) will be a never-ending source of inspiration for photographers. Going to Marrakesh means getting lost because neither my physical map nor my phone’s GPS worked in the old medina. Every alley connects to the next, creating a maze-like pattern. Even if you get lost, each alley reveals something new and exciting about Marrakesh. Allowing myself to get lost in unexpected corners and not stick to a schedule was also enjoyable. Marrakesh can be perplexing at first due to its crowded and chaotic ambiance, but the longer I stayed, the more it felt like a mysterious world where the deeper you go, the more difficult it is to get out.