The photograph shows the presentation of Moroccan rugs by a merchant.

We moved out of the alleyways and were brought to a riad (a traditional house with inward facing design to a lush open-air garden courtyard). However, it was looking more like a dar (a courtyard without the garden).

There were piles of rugs of different shades of color, mostly red, and different sizes on all corners of the riad. We later learned that the deeper shades of red was more precious compared to other shades of color.

There was a lot of hospitality with warm smiles and greetings! Sweet or unsweet Moroccan mint tea was served to all the guests!

The merchant-host, garbed in smock, started the presentation by giving a detailed description of a Moroccan rug. The unique qualities of the different types of rugs depending on who and where it was made. How each design was unique and no two rugs bear the same design. He also described how each design tells of the origin and story of the rug.

Remarkably, with emphasis, the rugs were made only by women! There was also some lamentation about how the younger generation was less likely to be following the footsteps of rug making.

The presentation went on for a while. Rug upon rug was unrolled and presented. We may have heard some haggling behind the scenes.

Alas! The rugs were magnificent but we could neither afford nor lug an extra load on our way back home.

Random photographs of our travels. Memories found and captured in a photograph.

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