THUG LIFE - THE TRUE O.G.'S OF MARRAKECH

Bobbin' and dodgin' the summer crowds, endless mopeds zipping through the narrow streets, the shuffling of feet, kids, beggars, and the on slaught of barking merchants. You will find the people who make the crafts that are sold around the world, and in the sooks. They still have a true sense of creation and tradition.

A quick post of a series of those I dub the real original 'gangsters' of Marrakech. With this connotation I'm not implying these are thugs, rackateers or criminals. Just my dark sense of commentary to give some respect to the original generation who still practice the making of their product. No gangster thug comments please.I'm not writing to be politically correct. I'm writing to write.

 

Just a quick post of a series of interesting faces, workers and art, that to me, is much better than a postcard. Hope you like them.  

The guy above was humble and hardworking. There is a row in the sook dedicated to the re crafting of old tires. Yep, they are making pretty much everything you can think of with recycled tires. Tables, picture frames, mirror frames, clothes, bags, pots, carriers, on and on. 

A take on a ecological company called Tru Ekology . They had a notion to source recycled tire products and re sell them. Hand bags with a purpose. Besides being long lasting, and durable, which is why I have one.( I'm very hard on my hand bags). Tru Ekologiy has listed on their site their story of giving back. Hey I agree with what they are doing and I bid on my 'tire' bag from Tru Ekology, at a fund raiser in Costa Rica. Little secret, I've now found their supplier! Well, I'm not claiming its theirs. But I've found the same bags, and the ability to have the custom done here for approximatley $10. A difference in price of $30-50 more for the same at Tru Ekology.

 

Though living as an expat, I'm still an American, and we love capitalism. I wish Tru Ekology super success in what they do and give back in Costa Rica (my second home). Tru Dat! Next time you're in Marrakech you can grab a few cheap tire bags of your own. If you're not in Marrakech, shop online at Tru Ekology.com 

Above you'll see some containers fashioned from old tires, and a bag sample from Tru Ekology, just like the ones in the sook.  I'll try to post a second part series to this about tire products. They are fascinating and practical!

On to more O.G.'s.
 

The chofers of the donkey pulled carts. Hard working, and hauling ass. Used for pretty much everything in the area. Donkey pulled carts and their owners are demanded for construction sites, to move houses, products, and people. 

Let's not forget the donkeys here. They too are livin' the Thug Life. Toasting in the Morroc-shi sun, slapped by their owners and braying that echos through the thin streets. They deserve a little shout out.

 

The cart pullers. Really, that must be a challenge on days ranging from 35-50C. A population constantly using the human mode to transport goods.

The Entertainment Makers. It doesn't matter the country or culture. People like balloons and fun. Caught in Essaouira at a festival. This man provides much needed entertainment for the children.

The Traditional Cedar Carvers. Much respect to the small business owner here. Still using the traditional way of making cedar products with melting away the wood by the heat of friction.

Just his man power, some string and the wood. He creates wood carvings to lay in clothes to keep moths away. Skewers, and intricate bottles to hold the black khol eye coloring so popular here, among other things.

The Aspiring Musicians. Practicing in the coastal sun. This small musician, strums his strings on a traditional Moroccan instrument. While not playing he sells traditional and Arabic music and C.D.'s.

That's it for now. There is an old Italian saying "What the eyes don't see, the heart can't feel".....well I hope that your eyes capture as many remarkable things as possible, daily.