My First Impression: Mad, Magical, Marrakech | 我的第一印象：瘋狂，嫵媚的馬拉喀什
The heart of Marrakech's medina - Jemaa el Fna. 馬拉喀什老城的心臟 - Jemaa el Fna 大廣場。© Eileen Hsieh
To many who grow up in Taiwan, Morocco is synonymous with Arab culture. The tales that capture our imagination in the translated version of One Thousand and One Nights come alive in the streets of this enigmatic nation, where veiled women with mesmerizing dark eyes still dance with handsome turbaned men to the hypnotizing tune of snake charmers.
After years of longing, I have finally made it to the cultural capital of this North African nation. But with just six days to discover Marrakech's countless secrets, where do I even begin?
To see, to smell, and to feel -- that's all I want from this first trip, and just to get lost in time.
No amount of planning can help me navigate this city's medieval labyrinth, and no words from my pen can properly capture the aura, energy and essence of those I encounter. Maybe with pictures, I can at least present to you some pieces of the grand and intricate puzzle that is Marrakech.
* Click on each photo will take you to my Marrakech gallery, where you'll find more images of this magical city.
對許多在台灣長大，讀過「一千零一夜」翻譯版的人來說，摩洛哥是阿拉伯文化的代表。在這個神秘的國度，我們仍然可以實地捕捉到童話故事裡的幻想，處處是蒙着面紗只露出深邃大眼的美麗女孩，還有包著頭巾的帥哥，在街道上隨著耍蛇人的催眠曲調翩翩起舞。
嚮往多年，我終於來到了這個北非國家的文化首都 -- 馬拉喀什。在短短的六天內，我只想感受她的色，香，味，還有迷失在她迷宮般的古城裡。
再多的規劃，也無法幫我建立足夠的心理準備來面對這個瘋狂的城市，我的文字也無力捕捉她的精神與精華，但或許我照個不停的相機，能為這個嫵媚的古都，提供一些線索。
* 若想看更多照片，請點一下圖片就可連接到我的馬拉喀什相簿。
Marrakech is often referred to as the "Rose City" or the "Red City" for its salmon pink buildings and the nearly thousand-year-old ramparts. 馬拉喀什老區處處可見鮭魚色的建築與近千年歷史的城牆，為它贏得了「玫瑰城」或是「紅城」的美名。
Bicycles, mopeds and donkey carts are the most common forms of transportation in the narrow streets of Marrakech's medina. 機車，腳踏車與驢車是在馬拉喀什迷宮般的老城裡最常見的交通工具。
Entrance of a traditional Moroccan hammam bath house, where you can get the most thorough body scrub and come out shiny and new. 摩洛哥傳統澡堂的入口，進去被刮掉一層皮後（其實是汙垢啦），保證出來全身亮晶晶。
Colorful display of dried plants outside an Herbalist in the souk (market), including these pretty cacti. 草藥店外擺置了許多色彩鮮艷的乾燥植物產品，包括染色過的乾燥仙人掌。
Morocco's coveted argan oil is produced from the kernels of the argan tree. 摩洛哥有名的堅果油（又稱阿甘油）就是由這種堅果搾取而成的。
Enter the Herbalist den where you'll find remedies for any ailment or enhancement.
草藥店裡賣有各式各樣的產品，治病養身防老回春，要什麼有什麼。
Getting lost in the medina leads me to this boutique beauty shop run by a woman, with products made for the modern woman. 迷失在老城裡，竟然撞見這個可愛的有機保養品店，老闆是女生，產品也全是為現代女性所製。
The boutique owner throws in a couple of these kohl eyeliners as gift, saying they can protect against eye ailments but should only be used on the lower waterline. 老闆娘給了兩隻炭眼線筆，說是可以保護眼睛，不過只能用在下眼線，因為上眼線不好畫。
A variety of hand-made soaps and natural or infused argan oils can be found in the shop. 小店裡賣有多種類的手工肥皂與堅果油。
No haggling is allowed in this shop, and the price is still much better than what you'll find in the souk. 這個標榜不二價的小店，標價還是比傳統市場便宜多了。
Snake charmers entertain onlookers in Jemaa el Fna every evening. Watch the video below to get a feel of the amazing atmosphere in the square. 每天傍晚都有弄蛇人在 Jemaa el Fna 賣藝。不怕蛇的讀者可以看以下的視頻，感受廣場熱鬧的氣氛。
Dozens of juice stalls compete for business in Jemaa el Fna. The stalls are numbered for easy identification. Jemaa el Fna 大廣場上有十幾家現搾新鮮果汁的攤子，每家都有號碼標示，方便顧客再次光臨。
Tagine (or tajine) is a favorite dish in Morocco. Here's a beef tagine with prunes, walnuts, pine nuts, served alongside a bowl of couscous. 摩洛哥最有名的美食 -- 塔津蓋燉肉。圖是牛肉塔津加黑棗，核桃和松子，配上一碗古斯米。
Ornate pottery is sold everywhere in Marrakech and makes a popular and affordable souvenir, starting at just 10 dirham (about 1 euro) per piece. 馬拉喀什的市場裡到處可見這些漂亮花俏的盤碗，每樣只要10DH (約ㄧ歐元)起。
Lamp, lamp and more lamp! Take these home and create your very own Arabian night. 家裡放幾隻漂亮的摩洛哥仿古燈，你也可以擁有夢幻的阿拉伯之夜。
Traditional Moroccan leather Babouche slippers come in an array of pretty colors and designs. 五彩繽紛的傳統摩洛哥皮革手工拖鞋。
Boutique shops, cafes and hotels line the wide boulevard in the new part of Marrakech. 馬拉喀什新區裡寬敞的大道旁有許多精品店，咖啡廳與酒店。
The minaret of the 12th century Koutoubia Mosque, the largest mosque in Marrakech. 源於十二世紀的庫圖比亞清真寺與尖塔，是馬拉喀什最大的清真寺。
Men sitting outside of Ben Youssef Madrasa (also spelled Médersa Ben-Youssef), once the largest Islamic college in North Africa. 坐在 Ben Youssef Madrasa 外小歇的居民，這兒曾是北非最大的伊斯蘭神學院。
Founded in the 14th century, the Ben Youssef Madrasa in Marrakech had taught Islam to countless pupils until its closure in the 1960s. 於14世紀建立的 Ben Youssef Madrasa，一直是北非數一數二的伊斯蘭神學院，直到1960年代才停止教學。
The intricate mosaic wall in one corner of Ben Youssef Madrasa. Ben Youssef 神學院是阿拉伯建築設計經典，處處都是令人嘆為觀止的拼磚和雕刻。
An oasis outside of the maddening medina, Jardin Majorelle is a top tourist attraction in Marrakech. Jardin Majorelle 馬若雷爾花園是城市裡的綠洲，也是旅客的最愛。
Entrance of the fabulous Berber Museum. 值得一看的「柏柏爾人博物館」的入口。
The world-renowned fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent at Jardin Majorelle. 名服裝設計師伊夫•聖洛朗 (YSL) 在馬若雷爾花園的舊宅裡。
Tropical colors are dominant in the beautiful Jardin Majorelle. 馬若雷爾花園裡處處都有熱帶的色彩。