Just today, I was looking through my photographs from Morocco when I came across these pictures of my favourite souvenirs.
Morocco is a shopper’s paradise, to say the least – walking through the souks, there’s a multitude of things to discover, so many strange new trinkets and crafts and antiques the likes of which you’ve never seen anywhere else. Big paper lanterns in greens and reds, damascene bracelets made of iron and filigreed silver, tiny painted tea cups and heavy silver teapots, hammered metal mirrors and rugs made from cactus fibre that shimmer in the light.
Even if you aren’t a big spender (which I certainly am not), the haggling culture is intense – I kept getting seduced into deals too good to pass up.
When I travel, the constant souvenir that I pick up is jewellery – not just because it’s gorgeous, but also because it’s something that I’ll actually make use of, as opposed to something that will just sit on a shelf gathering dust.
In Morocco, however, there was one unusual souvenir I had my eye on: a traditional tea set, complete with glasses and kettle and serving tray. I wound up finding all three in different places – the kettle in Fes, the tray in Meknes and the glasses in Chefchaouen. They were gorgeous but weighed a ton, and lugging all three around in my backpack for the duration of the trip wound up being a serious labour of love (I now mildly empathise with pack animals).
Along the way, I also picked up teas to go with it (rose and mint, delicious), painted silver earrings and bracelets (of course), damascene jewellery, hammam goodies (olive oil soap, mud shampoo and the best scratchy exfoliating mitt on the planet, called a kiis), tiny ceramic bowls for the kitchen, two pairs of traditional slippers (one for me and one for a boy, who asked for “a souvenir we could use together”), and a couple of long, traditional shirts (the first bought out of desperation to cover my bum from sight of all the local layabouts, who never tired of commenting on it).
And while I may not have all of these with me in Seoul, these pictures remind me just the same of all the experiences, places and sights they made me think of months down the line…
…though I’d still happily forget the backache of carting around pounds of silver ;)
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I love this! I wanted to buy a tea-set when I was in Morocco too, but I wasn’t there as long as it sounds like you were, and definitely not long enough to find all the pieces – plus, I don’t think I’d put up with the backache! ;) I’m contemplating buying one while I’m here in Turkey… though I still think the Moroccan ones are better.
I also buy jewelry wherever I go – it’s the one thing I can always rationalize purchasing while I’m on the road – and not only because I’ll make good use of it, but because it takes up so little space! :)
You know, I feel like the quintessential souvenir that I’ve seen bought in Turkey is always a hookah!! And hey, with that roof, you would have the perfect place to sit outside and enjoy one ;)
Ahhh…shopping in Morocco is the absolute best! I also bought a tea set there and it is one of my favourite things. I actually went one step further and bought a big leather duffel bag to lug around all of my purchases! Totally worth it, in my opinion. ;)
I KNOW. Even despite the fact that I can feel myself becoming less and less a ‘stuff’ person, I think back to all the things I saw in those souks and it makes me want to go back specifically for a shopping trip…multiple empty suitcases on hand!! :)
These purchaces look priceless and well worth it. The fabrics are so beautiful.
I know, I loved all of them….and they all meant something to me. The hammam stuff is actually everything left over from my first trip to one of the public bathhouses!
Jewelry is my travel thing too… There is always too much good stuff! In Thailand is has been pants though man, so many pants haha. Morocco looks like trouble for my bank account :) love the new layout btw!
I have heard so many things about Morocco. Do you think it would be a livable city for an expat?
Well, it depends which city you’re thinking of, and what constitutes ‘livable’ for you – I’ve heard of quite a few expat scenes in some of the larger cities like Marrakesh or Casablanca. Life in smaller cities might be harder to adjust to, but anything’s possible! :)
As a lover of drinking all kinds of tea, I’ll say that that’s an awesome looking tea set! Though I refrain from buying most things (mostly due to limited space), there are certain things that are just so cool that I sometimes end up buying. If I had a stable house, I would love to buy a Moroccan tea set like that!
I completely agree, actually. Especially as time passes, I’ve been growing less and less prone to pick up anything while on the road, because I know I’m not going to have a stable house for a loooooooooooooooooong time.
Morocco must be amazingly beautiful! I’d love to visit one day but until then, I’ll just have to ogle over your incredible finds & lovely photos. They make you want to get lost in Moroccan enchantment.
It is! It was incredibly trying, as well (that’s a post for another time), but the scenes and the scenery and everything I encountered was so, so intense. I wouldn’t trade that trip for anything.
I love everything you bought! My mom went there recently and claimed that there was nothing to buy for me (though she got a ton of stuff for herself) :( Looks like I need to go there myself!
I always buy a souvenir when I travel – it’s a nice keepsake to have and some of the things – jewelry, bags, etc I actually use now and then.
Hi, I just discovered you through TBEX! Loved your photos, especially the jewelry and clothes. Morocco is VERY high on our list of places we hope to visit soon: Was there one particular area you’d most recommend? As for your question, we try to buy one locally-made souvenir (usually something arty and not too touristy) from each place we visit.
Without a doubt, I’d recommend Chefchaouen. That city saved my life. And that’s for another blog post! ;)
A beautiful series. Very exotic looking objects.
Did you see any wild animals when you where there too?
I did not…but maybe next time!