![Marrakech, Morocco](https://live.staticflickr.com/8074/8276088686_eefd26185d_n.jpg)
Marrakech, Morocco
In the dizzying, agressive, puzzling, exotic, scary, exciting souks where they promise you WILL get lost. And I did.
![Succeeding against odds](https://live.staticflickr.com/8208/8278893070_f230c8ce9e_n.jpg)
Succeeding against odds
One of my last days in Marrakech, feeling-finally-like I belonged and made this adventure work for me. Instead of hiding in my beautiful villa, I kept at it, pushing my way into that city and culture and figuring it out.
![Conquering the Unknown](https://live.staticflickr.com/8079/8277843319_659d4acbed_n.jpg)
Conquering the Unknown
Taking on Marrakech on its own was a challenge. Language. Culture. Traditons. Agressive souk vendors. Extreme heat. Here I am in the El Fna Square late one evening, feeling for the first time I've figured out how to survive and eventually love the place.
![High Atlas Mountains, Morocco](https://live.staticflickr.com/8203/8276089470_4be7a3937b_n.jpg)
High Atlas Mountains, Morocco
I visited a number of Berber villages. We travelled on narrow winding roads, never seeing another car for hours.
![Roads into Atlas Mountains](https://live.staticflickr.com/7064/27808675876_2a5735ce5c_c.jpg)
Roads into Atlas Mountains
I was not a fan!
![An town almost hidden in the side of the Atlas Mountains](https://live.staticflickr.com/7343/27230967503_a6c2e072e8_b.jpg)
An town almost hidden in the side of the Atlas Mountains
Aït Benhaddou, Atlas Mountains, Morocco
![Rugs of many colour](https://live.staticflickr.com/7246/27565237080_c56cbe1735_z.jpg)
Rugs of many colour
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![Caleches lined up in Jemaa el Fna](https://live.staticflickr.com/7293/27767092891_34ed1f4e61_c.jpg)
Caleches lined up in Jemaa el Fna
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![My lamb and date tagine](https://live.staticflickr.com/7482/27231018613_6b8926f5b1_b.jpg)
My lamb and date tagine
Most of the meals were a minimum of six or seven dishes, usually served at once. One meal had twelve. I wonder if they weren't used to serving a single diner?
![Scorching heat of day in Jemaa el Fna](https://live.staticflickr.com/7313/27809314456_b062b04290_b.jpg)
Scorching heat of day in Jemaa el Fna
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![Spectacular rugs everywhere in the market](https://live.staticflickr.com/7227/27565821310_cb0d921ca1_b.jpg)
Spectacular rugs everywhere in the market
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![Atlas Mountain scene - sometimes green, sometimes nothing but brown](https://live.staticflickr.com/7442/27809200086_d526344be4_b.jpg)
Atlas Mountain scene - sometimes green, sometimes nothing but brown
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![Driving in the Atlas Mountains](https://live.staticflickr.com/7587/27565652080_eeae3a6933_b.jpg)
Driving in the Atlas Mountains
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![An Atlas Mountain scene that inspired Jaspar Wills' rectangle](https://live.staticflickr.com/7456/27742077402_d569356592_b.jpg)
An Atlas Mountain scene that inspired Jaspar Wills' rectangle
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![Nearing the top of the Atlas Mountains](https://live.staticflickr.com/7558/27767446731_84140ea731_b.jpg)
Nearing the top of the Atlas Mountains
This was an exciting moment for me. The drive up was not my favourite - narrow, steep, with no other vehicles in sight - but it was worth it.
![Atlas Mountain town](https://live.staticflickr.com/7178/27767422941_935900b6a7_b.jpg)
Atlas Mountain town
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![Heading into the Atlas Mountains](https://live.staticflickr.com/7666/27742205612_70d6eff3f2_b.jpg)
Heading into the Atlas Mountains
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![My caleche](https://live.staticflickr.com/7617/27809000736_b6114594cf_b.jpg)
My caleche
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![My caleche driver](https://live.staticflickr.com/7277/27767214061_4698ee11da_b.jpg)
My caleche driver
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![Egyptian Bar at Es Saadi Palace](https://live.staticflickr.com/7095/27808965456_32046ebffb_z.jpg)
Egyptian Bar at Es Saadi Palace
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![Egytian Bar where Katie Edwards meets the mystery man](https://live.staticflickr.com/7358/27808963906_412c5a0f2d.jpg)
Egytian Bar where Katie Edwards meets the mystery man
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![Es Saadi Palace Hotel](https://live.staticflickr.com/7742/27742161712_3f104a0591_c.jpg)
Es Saadi Palace Hotel
Where Katie Edwards stays during her research trip to Marrakech.
![Small portion of the grounds of the Es Saadi Palace](https://live.staticflickr.com/7111/27808963016_4f1c46c211_z.jpg)
Small portion of the grounds of the Es Saadi Palace
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![Haggling In Marrakech](https://live.staticflickr.com/7414/27808951596_afbea08c3a_n.jpg)
Haggling In Marrakech
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![Hotel CTM in the medina](https://live.staticflickr.com/7461/27767382051_d66e36cfe5.jpg)
Hotel CTM in the medina
Near where Katie Edwards meets her informant.
![Extraordinary colours of the souks](https://live.staticflickr.com/7227/27231422033_bbd0406800_b.jpg)
Extraordinary colours of the souks
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![Le Grand Balcon Cafe Glacier with its with its famous rooftop view of Jemaa el Fna](https://live.staticflickr.com/7565/27565486390_9a5088620e_b.jpg)
Le Grand Balcon Cafe Glacier with its with its famous rooftop view of Jemaa el Fna
Where Katie Edwards meets her informant.
![Jemaa el Fna at night - scary and exciting and fun](https://live.staticflickr.com/7584/27767379351_249bc56c9c_c.jpg)
Jemaa el Fna at night - scary and exciting and fun
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![Wares of the souk](https://live.staticflickr.com/7226/27808968576_fb45138a28_c.jpg)
Wares of the souk
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![Marrakech Souk](https://live.staticflickr.com/7334/27767221881_f70f504f93_b.jpg)
Marrakech Souk
Just give in to getting lost.
![Jemaa el Fna - action central](https://live.staticflickr.com/7372/27231208693_ed2f03cef9_z.jpg)
Jemaa el Fna - action central
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![Questionable lunch item in the souks](https://live.staticflickr.com/7298/27231400984_868525561e.jpg)
Questionable lunch item in the souks
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![Rugs for sale in the souks](https://live.staticflickr.com/7451/27741937072_2b726aa7dc_b.jpg)
Rugs for sale in the souks
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![Souks of Marrakech](https://live.staticflickr.com/7250/27843349895_64de84179c_c.jpg)
Souks of Marrakech
At times daunting, occasionally maddening, always exhilarating. Best thing is to just expect to get lost.
![Jemaa el Fna Orange Peddlar](https://live.staticflickr.com/7560/27767356311_471cfe8cdf_b.jpg)
Jemaa el Fna Orange Peddlar
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