esh some weeks ago I saw this style of Table being made in a shop in the Medina, price . . . a very good question . . . knowing the Moroccans as I do a hell of a lot, you will done there, no matter how smart you think you are, but I bought one like this to-day in auction in Cornwall for - £4 + tax, now if I was in Marrakesh well could be £20 or more or less, but then you would have to pay to bring it back to the U.K., so I cheated in a way, but I did not get done, these are made from old wood and painted on the spot, sadly the moment you look with interest over there, you are hit upon in a flash, but I am very happy with my Purchase, the one I purchased is in cream and browns with a hint of dark red, and it looks good in the corner of my hall.
Thursday, 5 May 2011
Moroccan Zouak Side Table
When I was I Marrsk
esh some weeks ago I saw this style of Table being made in a shop in the Medina, price . . . a very good question . . . knowing the Moroccans as I do a hell of a lot, you will done there, no matter how smart you think you are, but I bought one like this to-day in auction in Cornwall for - £4 + tax, now if I was in Marrakesh well could be £20 or more or less, but then you would have to pay to bring it back to the U.K., so I cheated in a way, but I did not get done, these are made from old wood and painted on the spot, sadly the moment you look with interest over there, you are hit upon in a flash, but I am very happy with my Purchase, the one I purchased is in cream and browns with a hint of dark red, and it looks good in the corner of my hall.
esh some weeks ago I saw this style of Table being made in a shop in the Medina, price . . . a very good question . . . knowing the Moroccans as I do a hell of a lot, you will done there, no matter how smart you think you are, but I bought one like this to-day in auction in Cornwall for - £4 + tax, now if I was in Marrakesh well could be £20 or more or less, but then you would have to pay to bring it back to the U.K., so I cheated in a way, but I did not get done, these are made from old wood and painted on the spot, sadly the moment you look with interest over there, you are hit upon in a flash, but I am very happy with my Purchase, the one I purchased is in cream and browns with a hint of dark red, and it looks good in the corner of my hall.
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
I HAD 3 WEEKS IN MOROCCO. BUT SEE IT ON YOU-TUBE & FILMED BY OTHERS > >
What I have written below is my own personal experience, it might help others if you venture to Morocco, most of us think we know it, but when I went on my First Cruise - I went to some-one who had done 20 trips on the Cruise Ships, so a little bit of knowledge there, and for me I took notice and it worked well.
Well as the title says . . . I have returned after an adventure, it was quiet an experience to say the least; I flew from Heathrow to Casablanca on Air Maroc, and what a great Company they are, luggage limit 60ks, friendly and helpful, I had a meal on the plane, first rate, the flight took just around 3 hours. I got to the airport in Casablanca, now this is where the home work comes in, I took a 6 months Moroccan Arabic Course came in - "not conversational, but 99 words, which I did and it did make a big difference, there are certain greetings when meeting people, e.g. the taxi drivers, the ducussion of the price of the ride, like leaving the doors open, putting your luggage in the boot and making sure it is locked, getting in the taxi before the driver, in the front seat and making sure the doors are locked, for it has been known that Taxi Drivers will phone ahead and inform others that they have passengers on board, and yes, when you stop at a traffic light or in a busy road, they will open the boot of The Merc and pinch the lot, for me I had no trouble, I had some cards printed with my name in English and Arabic, but 50% cannot write or read Arabic, so no good there. I got to the Hotel, right in The Centre of Casa, wow what a place only 2 years old, marble floors right through, a balcony room of my choice, right over looking the street (big mistake) a very noisy street, now the Moroccans are very loud, like a drink and heated discussions, in fact I saw one every day, no punches were thrown, but are they loud, but finish with a kiss. I got the hotel about 8.30 in the evening, I did a stroll around, and went back to bed, and watched CNN. I woke to the sound of shouting in the street, it was a parking attendent, an old guy about 76, he keeps parking spaces for people for a price, and stays there all night to protect the cars, he has about 15 vehicles to look after just in case they get broken in to (this I learned later). So I washed, etc., and went down for breakfast, the waiter Moos was superb, he did the lot, Fresh Orange Juice, Boiled Egg, Rolls, Yougart, Coffee or Tea, as much as you want, I always tip the waiter, so I always had great service. So then I went to discover Casa, now I had been there in October of 2010, so it was only 6 months after, I was asked if I wanted my Shoes cleaned, as there are shoe cleaners every 250 yards, but I had trainers on, but I got to know two of the guy, and gave them the normal Muslem greeting and hand shake, then I strolled to The Old Medina a weave of stalls, oh my God I was pestered for ages . . . good price, etc., but I learnt my replies . . . naam, deema, deema, now this caused a little confusion, you speak Arabic, I just walked on. Time for lunch . . . Chicken - great fresh in fact that fresh you can see the birds in cages in the market alive the next time cooked on you plate, in fact I ate out twice a day in many places and never ever had a bad tummy, like most people do, I always drank bottled water, and checked that the top on the bottle had not been tampered with, as they have a habit of re-filling the bottles with water from pipes popping out of walls.
There was air of me
nace in Casa as well as in Fes, but to be honest I never felt safe, not from being hurt but of being robbed. I did see a guy take a mobile phone from some-one at The Hassan Mosque in Casa, very slick, he asked a nut seller for his mus (knife) he opened the back a switched sim cards, and just 
walked off, now this is in the sacred grounds of the Mosque, in fact 30 minutes before the calling to prayers.I did a few days in Fes staying at a Pension house . . . very different ! Fes is a busy place, with stall holders trying to sell you everything from jewellery to carpets to lamps and pottery, in fact if it is not at Fes or Mara.K well it has not been made yet, the stall holders do get on your nerves, in fact you cannot get away from them, as the lanes are all jumbled up you can get lost there, and you will never find your way back to your place
for the night, you would have to hire a guide, usually boys of about 15 or 16, and they charge, in fact if you take any photos the subjects charge even for their donkeys, and if you don't pay they could get their own back, I think book-makers tick-tack works out there. By not paying they can find out where you are staying from the first guide, which you must hire to take your luggage to the Pension House. Just think being smart and saying " I am not going to pay" and find a little collection of young people outside when you go out for an evening stroll, this I have seen. Now you do not see many police around either, and they only speak French or Arabic if they want to. The head and neck is of a Camel, which is used in burgers, honest !
The most memorable moment which will stay with me for ever . . . is . . . one day whilst on The Corneiche a beach (of sorts) I saw a gentleman in T-Shirt and shorts and little girl of about 10 or 11 and her mother a lady in full Black Berka, so I wondered down a started to chat to the guy in Spanish and English his little girl only spoke Arabic, so that was me out, next I asked about his wife, he said she spoke Spanish, Arabic, French and a little English, I asked his permission to speak to her, he said yes, so off I went, and what a surprise, I chatted for about 10 minutes in 3 languages, I said my farewells to the guy, his little daughter and I put out my hand to say bisslama (good-bye) to his wife but she was not aloud to touch me, in fact she was covered from head to toe and hands in gloves. There was a meeting afterwards, but this I cannot write about, I feel it very, very private, not only - I found out after it was a great honour, as what came about was very rare, for I was the great un-washed.
Will I go back to Morocco - I do not think so, if I go on a cruise, and the ship docks there, well I will go ashore, be it only for a few hours.
Monday, 27 December 2010
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
THE LANGUAGE STUDYING
I have now been studying Morrocan Arabic for 2 weeks, and I am very pleased with my progress, I have now got some 70 words in my brain, to me this quiet a good number to use when ordering food or drink (kool u sherub) in Arabic . . . Bessalama.
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
A REAL MOROCCAN COFFEE SHOP
كذلك هي عليه الآن أربعة أيام في التعلم
العربية المغربية ، وصادق عليه
ليست سيئة كما كان يعتقد لام ، ولكن عليك أن تستمع
قد وضعت هدفا ل 99 من الكلمات.
العربية المغربية ، وصادق عليه
ليست سيئة كما كان يعتقد لام ، ولكن عليك أن تستمع
قد وضعت هدفا ل 99 من الكلمات.
Sunday, 31 October 2010
MY NEW CHALLENGE - ARABIC
How do I start this part of my Blog? . . . On the 1st of October I visited Casablanca, and wow ! what place, I was taken back to really go to a 3rd world country, but that was only one side of the road, the other side wealth . . . honest ! And over the past weeks my passion has been going stronger, I have seen what the Moors did in and for Spain, which I also love. My passion for Spain started 6 or more years ago, and I always have to gone one further, and learn the language, not only speak but read (habla y leer). And now I have started to learn Arabic, thank God they have vowles, very close to english and spanish, but reading and writing this time is right out. There are many words in spanish that are arabic, so the back of the throat trick I have. I do read the spanish paper each day (cada dia) El Pais and on Saturday there was this wonderful black and white picture of an American writer Paul Bowles who lived in Tangiers for over 50 years, it was a truly wondrerful shot. Some of these writers, poets, etc., just have that edge of some-thin
g different, the picture was taken in 1975, it is not the picture - but the pose. Now I have read many books by Brits who have gone to Spain, and yes find a finka . . . full of olive trees, and all is done in a year, the locals help out, free of course, ah no I dont think so, I have met some kind ones, but not generous,to work and do all the villa up "por nada". Paul Bowles he was a song writer, poet and even had a book turned into a film, he died in 1999 in his 80's in Morocco, his remains were taken to another great place in The World New York. Now I have to find this book to read (leer). So far only on Amazon mucho - $$$$$ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . beslama !
g different, the picture was taken in 1975, it is not the picture - but the pose. Now I have read many books by Brits who have gone to Spain, and yes find a finka . . . full of olive trees, and all is done in a year, the locals help out, free of course, ah no I dont think so, I have met some kind ones, but not generous,to work and do all the villa up "por nada". Paul Bowles he was a song writer, poet and even had a book turned into a film, he died in 1999 in his 80's in Morocco, his remains were taken to another great place in The World New York. Now I have to find this book to read (leer). So far only on Amazon mucho - $$$$$ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . beslama !Thursday, 28 October 2010
FLAVOURS OF MORROCO
At a Car Boot Sale yesterday a little fellow like this was purchased . . . price £4.00 it was made around 1958, the clothes are fabric, the other parts are of leather and metal, he is a water seller, not many there now, but they exist, mine is dressed in white with a blue stipe.To-day was purchased this type of Moroccan Coffee Table - purchased at an Auction for £30.00 . . . I looked on the net, the price in the U.S.A. - $300 +.
After a visit to Casablanca in Morocco, I think in a few years, more English people will visit Casa (as it is known to the people there) as the fear of being robbed,or cheated beyond all belief, which is still strong in most people I have mentioned my intended holiday there in March next year. On the inter-net Moroccan items of all types, including carpets are sky high. And the prices are in dollars so it is the $ plus the delivery, etc.
Monday, 25 October 2010
THIS BOOK WAS A GREAT INFLUANCE ON ME
This is th
e cover of a book that I have been reading . . . and it has been quiet an influence on me and also for my passion to visit again Casa as it is known to the people of Casablanca, so in March of 2011 I will be be there for most of the month. I fell in love with the smells and crudeness of the place, it is a place where not many Europeans visit, why ? - well I have read that people feel un-safe, and that thay may be robbed, etc., I felt safe there, be it only 8 hours, but one can tell likes, dislikes or fears in one way or another.
e cover of a book that I have been reading . . . and it has been quiet an influence on me and also for my passion to visit again Casa as it is known to the people of Casablanca, so in March of 2011 I will be be there for most of the month. I fell in love with the smells and crudeness of the place, it is a place where not many Europeans visit, why ? - well I have read that people feel un-safe, and that thay may be robbed, etc., I felt safe there, be it only 8 hours, but one can tell likes, dislikes or fears in one way or another.
Monday, 18 October 2010
THE ALAMBRAH - GRANADA - SPAIN
It is n
ow 2 weeks since my return from The Cruise, and it now that I take in what I saw, sadly or perhaps even better, when I am at these truly wonderful places, be it Saville, Cordoba or Granada, well to see these wonderful buildings, centuaries old the stone-work, the gardens the craftsmanship, could it be done to-day? no si ! To see what The Moors did with water, the way gullies were guided through the gardens, with flowers, tree and shrubs.
to some people a building, a Mosque or a Palace is just what it is, but no ! In those days no fast drying cements, machinery, etc., or cranes, thousands of workers did so much for us to see the beauty, even with the wall tiles. I can sit back a re-live every moment, the guide Reccardo was brilliant, these guides are good, they know so much, and so do some those who venture into these places. I know many people read so much about these buildings of wonderment, for me I like the suprise of being informed. For me to go to these places, was far beyond my wildest dreams. Next stop for me is Morocco . . . Casablanca and Fes, these are penciled in at the moment, I hope to be there for 3 weeks. Casablanca for me had a draw . . . a draw to delve deeper into the place, I did get on well with some of the people there, one has to be careful, not the fear of getting hurt, but these guys are shrewed, they love to barter, I even had a gift from one guy who ran a coffeee shop, I did ask for it, as I wanted to remember him, I did say to him "I will be back", and I can't wait to see his face, I am going to take him a gift from Cornwall, what I do not know. Going to different places on a Cruise ship is not every-ones desire, but I am lucky enough to get a feel for a p
lace within a few hours, and Casablanca did it for me. Remember the film . . . "Casablanca" - well I have walked pass Rick's Cafe where it was not - filmed back in the 40s, next time there, I will go in for lunch. This is I did, but it is not from the film, but a mock up, it is good the way it has been done, and there is a Grand Piano, which I had lunch beside, there is Black Paino Player . . . Lennie Blue, who it is alleged played for stars in Hollywood, he is in his 90s. Many Americans stop off here from the Cruise ships, I had my picture taken with one guy, and he was great fun.
ow 2 weeks since my return from The Cruise, and it now that I take in what I saw, sadly or perhaps even better, when I am at these truly wonderful places, be it Saville, Cordoba or Granada, well to see these wonderful buildings, centuaries old the stone-work, the gardens the craftsmanship, could it be done to-day? no si ! To see what The Moors did with water, the way gullies were guided through the gardens, with flowers, tree and shrubs.to some people a building, a Mosque or a Palace is just what it is, but no ! In those days no fast drying cements, machinery, etc., or cranes, thousands of workers did so much for us to see the beauty, even with the wall tiles. I can sit back a re-live every moment, the guide Reccardo was brilliant, these guides are good, they know so much, and so do some those who venture into these places. I know many people read so much about these buildings of wonderment, for me I like the suprise of being informed. For me to go to these places, was far beyond my wildest dreams. Next stop for me is Morocco . . . Casablanca and Fes, these are penciled in at the moment, I hope to be there for 3 weeks. Casablanca for me had a draw . . . a draw to delve deeper into the place, I did get on well with some of the people there, one has to be careful, not the fear of getting hurt, but these guys are shrewed, they love to barter, I even had a gift from one guy who ran a coffeee shop, I did ask for it, as I wanted to remember him, I did say to him "I will be back", and I can't wait to see his face, I am going to take him a gift from Cornwall, what I do not know. Going to different places on a Cruise ship is not every-ones desire, but I am lucky enough to get a feel for a p
lace within a few hours, and Casablanca did it for me. Remember the film . . . "Casablanca" - well I have walked pass Rick's Cafe where it was not - filmed back in the 40s, next time there, I will go in for lunch. This is I did, but it is not from the film, but a mock up, it is good the way it has been done, and there is a Grand Piano, which I had lunch beside, there is Black Paino Player . . . Lennie Blue, who it is alleged played for stars in Hollywood, he is in his 90s. Many Americans stop off here from the Cruise ships, I had my picture taken with one guy, and he was great fun.Monday, 9 August 2010
MY SEA GULL SAGA ! !
Well - now is the time of the year that the sea gulls leave the area and go off to sea, and I must say that the gulls have been know where near my house, my windows are clean, I can sit out-side with-out having taken from my plate or just before I put in my mouth. On Sunday I found a 3 month old gull that had been hit by a car, near Carbis Bay, so I picked it up, and yes it will be on my roof this week, sometime. So the Old St. Ives lady had it right ! Old wives tales are true.
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