After the guided tour yesterday, we thought we would try going around the Medina on our own today. We left a little later this afternoon and planned to be out until early evening. We found our way to the same place. We started the tour yesterday, and wandered through the streets and alleys. We walked for quite a while, wandering as we pleased, and eventually managed to find our way to the Jamaa el Fna Square.
We started slowly, taking our time and being careful not to be too obvious. Still, it was obvious that people were aware of us, almost watching to be sure they wouldn’t be caught in our frame. Even with my phone, I could feel people were suspicious. I managed to get a few images, but I had to be quick. My compositions suffered, with much of my attention diverted on managing this new challenge.
Henry is always a little bolder than I. “If they ask me to leave, then I’ll just leave.” I am not willing to risk that, so I am much more conservative with how many photographs I take. I hesitate much more than he does. So, I focus on other subjects - on the environment.
The people’s reluctance was remarkable. In most every country we have visited, he always makes portraits of regular people on the street. He always asks them first, in the kindest, most considerate way. He’s been doing it for nearly twelve years now, and I have always admired the way he is able to connect with someone, even when there is no shared language. It has been a very rare occurrence for someone to refuse him. Today, he asked three men, and in each instance, they refused. The way they shook their head “No! No!”, often accompanied with a hand waving him away, that belies a deep emotional reaction to his request. They were not rude, but they were clearly irritated, perhaps even offended by the request. I am curious and wish I could understand where it comes from. Not to debate it, or to convince them otherwise. I am just really intrigued about this aspect of the Moroccan culture. A little research suggests that many people believe it is forbidden by Islam. I guess that would explain a lot!!!
On Saturday, we have asked Youssef, the tour guide who took us around on Wednesday to take us around again, but with the specific objective of photographing. He will approach the people Henry would like photograph and we’ll see if that is more successful.
For now, I shift to my favourite way to create images - motion, blur, and all the weird things I do…
A man walks in front of me at the market.
The terrace at our restaurant offers a wonderful opportunity to play with shapes and light.
And still, today was a great day. We did get some photographs and had a great time. We ended the day with dinner at one of the terrace restaurants on the Square. It is an amazing sight, quite an experience, that square at night.
And so, I leave you tonight with a little video, to give you a taste of what it was like as we left for home.
