Celebration 1971

	at the end of an alley behind a flag-decked door a beautiful white house filling up with friends a courtyard laid with carpets a secondary story of bright-kaftaned women a roof rimmed with neighbors come twelve musicians with nine dancing girls mint tea ceremoniously offered cakes in silver bucket hands are washed and platters carried in chicken with olives lamb with prunes and almonds bananas and peaches and plums and cherries for a double crowd of guests enter a bride in purple velvet a groom in a long white robe rose petals drift from balconies incense rises from below to a thunder of drums rose water is sprinkled on dancing and laughter from joyous fatigue is formed procession out into the streets through the night across the great square and then just us to arrive at dawn in our newly-blessed house to want to stay forever. Carol McCreary Marrakesh, July 1971

Celebration	Marrakesh	Essaouira	High Atlas	Practical Info