There are two sides to any major tourist city like Marrakech. One side is targeted purely at the incoming tourists. It’s in your face from the start. Easy to see, but hard to escape. The other side is every day life. Life as experienced by the locals. As a tourist it’s often difficult to find. You have to steer clear of recommended tourist attractions, you have to walk down that side street and sometimes you even need to get lost!
I was especially keen to explore everyday life in Marrakech. I had never visited an African country before, nor had I visited a country who’s predominant religion was Islam. A key focus of my travels has been to identify major differences in the way that people live throughout the world. Whilst Europe is different to Australia, it’s not a major leap. To quote Vincent Vega from Pulp Fiction:
‘It’s the little differences. I mean, they got the same shit over there that we got here, but it’s just – it’s just there it’s a little different’
It was my hope that in Marrakech I’d experience a real difference in everyday life. As is often the case my trusty camera accompanied me out onto the streets as I tried to capture everyday life in Marrakech! Below are the results :
1. Like most cities if you look past the hectic tourist areas, poverty is rife
2. A traditional hooded garment of Islam. A very common site in Marrakech, takes a bit of getting use to.
3. It's Arabic for stop
4. Homelessness transcends cultural differences. It's a Human problem.
5. A run down housing estate. I was a little intimidated walking around with my camera.
6. Buses like in most cities around the world are vital in moving people around Marrakech
7. The Mosque plays a vital role in daily Islamic life. Listening to the Call to Prayer for the first time was an almost overwhelming experience and I'm a Buddhist!
8. Smiles send the same message anywhere in the world!
9. Workers taking a well earned break
10. Football, the global language!
11. More Football! I just regret not going to join in 
So what’s the verdict? Well Marrakech was certainly a unique experience. An ‘Islamic’ city is on the surface world’s apart from a ‘Western’ city. I definitely felt a little bit of culture shock early on! But once I dug a little deeper I started noticing similarities in basic human behaviour. Around the world we all work, we eat, we sleep and we play. That is Humanity and it’s a common bond that we all share. It transcends any differences we may have on the surface. Having said that though it’s those differences that make the world so interesting! It’s the differences that make travel such a rewarding experience!
The lesson I think Marrakech has taught me is that we should all learn to celebrate our differences, whilst cherishing our similarities.
I’m interested to hear people’s opinions on this one! Have you found Human behaviour to be similar wherever you’ve travelled? Or have you experienced some really contrasting cultures on your travels? Let me know! 
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Thanks for the look at everyday Marrakech. I’ve never been there but I would like to go someday. It’s true- for all our differences, people are more alike than not.
It’s well worth the visit Don. A great cultural experience! I’ll share my experiences in the Atlas mountains soon. That equally was Brilliant.