Today we were lucky enough to be invited on a personalized cooking class with a shopping trip to the souk where the locals buy their meat and produce included in the experience. We learned to prepare two separate meals which became our lunch one day and dinner the next.
Moroccan cooking looks complex, but it’s very simple once you get the hang of it. The warm spices make for some serious comfort food that will have us craving it again in no time once we leave this beautiful country.
After working in the kitchen most of the day, it was time to go to the spa. I hadn’t yet indulged myself with a massage after the Camino, so I finally changed that by visiting my first hammam.
Entering the hammam, the decor, layout and architecture were simply beautiful. There was a pool in the center with loungers on either side. The actual hammam was in the back. There was a large marble room with a marble block riser in the center. The room was hot, very hot, as was the stone floor and riser, but I acclimated to it quickly. The tellak (technician) rinsed me with hot water then rubbed Moroccan black soap all over my body. I was then told to relax for about 10 minutes to let the soap work it’s magic. I was rinsed again, then sanded down. You read that right, quite literally sanded down. I thought they used a medium grit sandpaper glove. I want to say I’m joking, but I’m not. The glove they used is called kessa mit and can be found online. After the initial shock, it actually felt quite nice and the results were amazing. So much dead skin was sloughed off of me! Kinda gross, but also kinda cool. My skin has never felt softer. When the hammam was complete, I was escorted to a lounger where I was served Moroccan mint tea and had a pre-massage foot massage. Oh, slow down now, I could get used to this. This was followed shortly with an incredible 60 minute full body massage. The entire treatment took about 135 minutes and cost only $75. I walked out of there soft and relaxed. I want to go again!
Today is our last day in Marrakesh. We leave to explore more of Morocco tomorrow. It’s been a great experience, but it is time to see more of the country. Thank you Marrakesh, we will be back.
More to come.
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Was the “tellak” female? Just wondering about their attitudes.
Yes. They have females tellaks for females and males for males.
What a great experience! Such fun!
Wow! That spa is crazy!! Good for you!
What an absolutely amazing experience to get to go shopping and cook with locals. Your hosts are absolutely a delight.
Amazing day! Loved the shopping excursion and the cooking lesson. The “sanding” experience sounds incredible!