SOUK

Two ingredients recently came together and formed the basis for us creating our own online SOUK. The first is that I have spent so much time travelling and buying rugs in Morocco (only a 35 minute ferry ride away) and Central Asia that it is impossible not to be influenced by some of the ways prevailing in that life. The Souks (also called Bazaars and Medinas) have left their indelible mark. The second is that over the years we have gathered many fascinating items, and are also finding many more locally during our normal work, that we have enough artefacts and vintage/antique items to create our own Souk. Many are unique. All are inexpensive. They are items you have probably never encountered before; expect only the fascinating and unusual.

The best description of SOUKS I know is that they are all frenetic crowded cauldrons of noise where anyone can sell anything to anybody. Nothing, but nothing, is priced which is very disconcerting for many foreigners. The opening price is based on the sellers` assessment of the buyer, especially his or her nationality, language, dress, level of knowledge about the items looked at, and of course bargaining skills. Buyers should aim for 10% of the opening offer and the closer they get to this will mean a better and realistic price for the article.

The early buyers are usually restaurants and local people because the produce is fresh, often still not even unloaded from the delivery cart. As the day, the heat, the crowding and the noise progresses the tourists arrive. The alleys are now packed but everyone is at the mercy of the delivery men. They ride Vespas and Lambrettas with gravity defying loads at maximum revs. Then the wheelbarrows, then old porters pushing huge fully laden hand carts. It gets worse, all this is before the donkeys, either loaded with sacks or pulling carts arrive. They take no prisoners. You have probably never had to ease a donkey out of your way. If it is above your chest height -- don`t.

Do not worry. Recuperate and re-charge with mint tea. Check which one of the 5 different prices you paid and then measure how well you are progressing in the bargaining league.

Deep in the basements of the Souk in Marrakech are three huge rooms devoted to the supply of materials and items used by rug restorers as far away as the Tuareg on the edge of the Sahara.   I am buying naturally dyed wools and undyed camel hair for use in our studio, with a lot of help from my local friend, Said.

Medicines for weight gain, weight loss, toothpaste from Touareg nomads, Berber rouge for lips, tranquilizers for anti-stress, argan fruit for oil, Viagra and much, much more ........

 Here you can bargain for endless baskets, hats, purses. bags and even rugs. Afterwards recover with coffee at the Cafe des Epices at the far end of the square.