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Eeek! She had had a book published!

Oh my, that pseudo-Moroccan girl clearly was prone to exaggeration. She most definitely had not had a book published. But she had updated a guidebook on Marrakech: Thomas Cook City Spots, to be exact. She was told it was on the book stands on this very day. And she assumed that her name was in tiny letters somewhere inside.

In addition to oodles of phone and address confirmations, highlights of the guide book updating process included:

* Testing home made ice creams in ice cream parlors. Demanding second tastes just to make absolutely sure of quality. Putting only her most favorite in the guidebook.

* Loitering in gorgeous riad guesthouses, pretending to be a potential guest, meanwhile stealthily taking undercover notes

* Spending ridiculous sums of money while updating the shopping section. Rationalizing the purchase of approximately 63 pairs of Moroccan sequined leather slippers. Sigh.

* Sneakily slipping in a few of her own photos. (shhh....don't tell the publishers!)

* Observing whether the snake charmers on Jemma el-Fnaa square were truly able to charm the snakes or whether the snakes had a skeptical look in their eyes.

Needless to say, it was arduous, and it was harrowing, and the blogging girl barely made it out alive. But it was all for the good of her beloved new homeland. (Isn't this when the national anthem is supposed to start playing in the background?)

"My Marrakesh: Marrakesh." 12 Oct. 2008 .

The blogging girl slipped through the doors of the new Zara Home in downtown Marrakech. She was instantly surrounded by pretty ethnic chic, with bold pops of color. She made her way through the aisles, stroking a coverlet here, admiring a glass vase there. Everything so enticing.

On her way down the marble stairs, a large and perfect image loomed before her. She reached into her bag and pulled out her camera. Click, click.

Stop! Cried a voice.

She looked down the stairs. A burly security guard glared up at her.

No photos allowed! Erase them from your camera immediately! He said, in a not-so-nice voice.

But I want to post them on my website to encourage people to visit Zara Home, she protested.

I repeat, erase those photos immediately! He shouted, threatening.

They wound up before the check out counter where a slight girl who looked no older than 22, listened to the security guard, shrugged her shoulders in a woebegone way, and said nothing.

The blogging girl slid her camera back into her purse. Then, she looked defiantly at the security guard, and she marched out the store....

PS See more Moroccan-influenced Zara Home photos right here at Sandman Chronicles. (He is one of the sweetest bloggers around, too.)

P.P.S. For Peacock Pavilions three vintage Saarinen tables like the ones in these images were purchased from the Italian Cultural Attache in Marrakech a few months back. Another story for another time...

"My Marrakesh: Marrakesh." 12 Oct. 2008 .

.....

Wouldn’t it be lovely, really, wouldn’t it be lovely to wear pajamas the whole day……..? And wouldn't it be equally lovely to simply wear slippers all the time? Why then life would be rather like one big pajama party, wouldn’t it?

(Sigh, let’s face it, the blogging girl was simply trying to rationalize why she so often found herself in Marrakech’s slipper souk, known as the souk de babouches. At this rate, it might just be easier for her to set up a small cot nearby.)

PS Many thanks for all the comments on my Marrakech magazine articles! So sweet:)

"My Marrakesh: Marrakesh." 12 Oct. 2008 .