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Llywindatravels 2021

~ Around the world with two suitcases

Llywindatravels 2021

Tag Archives: Hotels

Sucre and the Tarabuco Market

19 Thursday Apr 2018

Posted by winifredcreamer in Bolivia

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Architecture, Hotels, Museums

 We spent three nights in Sucre. The Hotel Monasterio used to be a monastery and still has some great decor–Bolivian Baroque? It was comfortable and placed us in the heart of Sucre. We walked down to the central plaza for dinner each night and found good places, La Taverne (French-Bolivian), Cosmo Cafe, and Cafe Florio (Dutch-Bolivian).

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During the day we visited the central market

4.16.18 Central Market Sucre
4.16.18 Central Market Sucre-002
4.16.18 Central Market Sucre-010

The ethnographic and Indigenous Art museums.

Tarabuco weaving
Tarabuco weaving
Airplanes over farm fields
Airplanes over farm fields
Three tupus/pins on a traditional dress
Three tupus/pins on a traditional dress
What Cholitas wear today for special occasions.
What Cholitas wear today for special occasions.
Virgin Mary on a rock
Virgin Mary on a rock

We happened to be in Sucre on the day of the Tarabuco Market 65 km from Sucre. We hired a driver to take us there, wait three hours, and return us to Sucre (300 Bolivianos). The market is known for textiles and there were wonderful items all over the place. We looked at rugs, ponchos, wall hangings, table cloths, bags and lots of other things. There was a regional gastronomy competition. The dishes seemed to consist of potatoes, wheat berries, broth and chili peppers, though I don’t think it was very spicy. There was chicha to drink, but neither of us are fans of fermented corn. Most of the women wore traditional dress to enhance their presentation.

4.15.18 Tarabuco market and back-009

We strolled the main plaza and side streets looking at weavings.

 

 

 

I tried on one hat that looked like it escaped from a marching band.

 

 

 

Another is modeled after Spanish conquistadors helmets. Both men and women wear them.

We bought a bright red patterned rug and a salmon-colored tablecloth as well as a crocheted hat for me and a suitcase to carry it all home.

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Rabat, Morocco

03 Sunday Apr 2016

Posted by winifredcreamer in Morocco

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Tags

Attractions, Hotels

We arrived in Rabat, and got to our hotel in the medina with minimal confusion.  The Rabat medina is more spacious than others we’ve seen in Essaouira, Agadir and Marrakesh. As in the others, no cars are allowed, though motorbikes race through. When we arrived at the walls of the medina, we called our hotel and our host Benoit emerged to meet us. It takes some getting used to that you can park on the street and a random person will make sure your car is ok, yet that seems to be the way it works. Our luggage was put in an overgrown garden cart. Off we went on foot to the Riad Dar Soufa. The door to the house is down an alley, and Benoit lamented that city workers had just dug up the entrance to the alley and refilled it hastily–he has no idea when they will return to finish the job.

3.30.16 Rabat-0013.30.16 Rabat-010

The inside of the riad is nothing like the street.

Once we went for a walk, I found that there is a place in Rabat that provides a vision of Morocco corresponding to my imagination.

3.29.16 Rabat Kasbah-005Here’s the ancient walled fortress, the Kasbah of the Oudayyas, still occupied, with a modern white city (the rest of Rabat) in the distance. Why this is my vision of Morocco, I don’t know, but I love this view. It’s my mental image of Morocco

3.29.16 Rabat Kasbah-009The Rabat kasbah has a community atmosphere. Plenty of families still live in this very small neighborhood. It has not all been converted to hotels. The Cafe Maure is tucked into the far side of the kasbah in a small park called the Andalusian Gardens, where the wall loops out on the riverbank and you can sip tea or coffee and look across to the rest of the neighborhood, or down the estuary to the sea. It’s a bit tricky to find the entrance, you have to enter the gardens despite the low reviews on TripAdvisor….and then you see the entrance to the terrace and cafe.

3.31.16 Rabat kasbah from Cafe MaureI went to the Andalusian Garden expecting to see a display of traditional Moroccan jewelry that was part of the Palace museum, until it closed. Sadly, the exhibit at the gardens is now closed as well, and there is no information about what has become of the palace collections. The cafe was a consolation prize.

Back at Riad Dar Soufa we admired the elaborate restored woodwork, stone and carved plaster and mosaic tile that shows off Moroccan craftsmanship. We are in the zellij room, which refers to the detailed tile in a patterned mosaic along the walls. It is unusual to have so much preserved/restored. Older houses with such detail that fall into disrepair are not always repaired and the tile either falls down or is covered with paint and plaster. It’s not easy to find out about the history of Rabat. See my next post to find out more.

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The next day we rambled in the medina in the late afternoon when it was full of shoppers. I noticed more sellers of birds (and turtles!) than I’ve seen before in Morocco, and I was impressed by the colorful thread and embroidery sellers.

3.29.16 Rabat Medina-004

Poor turtles! I hope these are pets and not dinner.

Poor turtles! I hope these are pets and not dinner.

3.29.16 Rabat Medina-001More about Rabat to come!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A hidden treasure in Essaouira

23 Wednesday Mar 2016

Posted by winifredcreamer in Morocco

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Tags

Hotels

We arrived on the outskirts of Essaouira, fortunately with our phone GPS working. The surroundings are a bit intimidating.

3.22.16 Domaine d Arganaraie-032smThere were ancient and modern hazards.

3.21.16 Essaouira-016smFortunately, there were strategically posted signs.

3.21.16 Essaouira-018smWe found the Domaine de l’Arganaraie, a delightful set of large houses around a common swimming pool and dining area, spacious and beautiful, a real oasis. We were able to have a fire in the fireplace both nights. This was our house–there was also a full kitchen and bathroom.

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We arrived late one day, had a delicious dinner (briouats, tagine, strawberries), built a fire in the fireplace and relaxed. We visited the Medina in Essaouira the next day and were very happy not to have to either go out OR cook in the evening. Fatima, the excellent cook produced squash soup, tagine of chicken, olives and potatos and a world class chocolate mousse. We sat by the fire again and didn’t regret the cool weather one bit. I was glad that it was pre-laid to start with just a match, too. The donkey cart towed our luggage back to the car when it was time to leave. Next time we’ll stay to have a swim.


 

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