Read an Excerpt
Spin the Globe: The Incredible Adventures of Frederick von Wigglebottom
Mysteries of Marrakech
By Edward Moldenhauer, Kenn Yapsangco Trafford Publishing
Copyright © 2015 Edward Moldenhauer
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4907-6480-1
CHAPTER 1
Spices in the Souk
Each time Frederick awoke from a "spin," he knew it would be a totally new and incredible adventure. This time he awoke in a very bustling and noisy marketplace, full of bright colors and aromas that he had never smelled before. The air was warm and dry, but he was sitting in the shade, and it made it feel much cooler. Some of the people around him seemed to be arguing with each other. Many were just laughing, and everywhere, people were walking to and fro.
"Oh, this time I have no idea where I have landed," he thought out loud.
From behind him, a soft voice replied, "La bes, al salam alikum sahibi! That means 'Hello, peace be upon you, friend' in Arabic. You are in the Marrakech souk."
Frederick was a little startled, but when he turned around, he saw a beautiful young girl wearing a soft colored head scarf and a bright tunic.
"Hello, my name is Frederick, and I am an adventurer who travels around the world on incredible adventures," he replied as he opened his journal to see a map of Morocco. "I can see by my map that I am in Morocco, and now I know I am in the city of Marrakech. But what exactly is a souk?"
"It is my pleasure to meet you, Frederick. My name is Yasmine, and a souk is a marketplace or bazaar where all types of items are sold. Here in Marrakech, we have one of the largest souks in the entire world. In fact, there are eighteen different souks with each section selling different items, such as pottery, carpets, spices, leather, and metalwork. The souk has been here for many, many years, and it is here that craftsmen practice their centuries-old professions."
"I have been to a bazaar during my adventure to Nepal. This market is just as fantastic but very different. I really like all the vivid colors, the interesting smells, and all the lively people flittering about." Frederick was enjoying the hustle and bustle of the souk.
"I really like your style of clothes too. They are interesting," he added.
"Frederick, you are far too kind. As a Muslim girl, I dress modestly, but I still try to have a little fashion," Yasmine divulged with a slight wink.
"My head scarf is called a hijab. I prefer to wear a white, cream, or light gray hijab because it really 'pops' against my brighter-colored or patterned tunic shirts. I prefer wearing a tunic so that I can wear comfortable pants underneath. Some of the older women wear an abaya or kaftan. Both of them are longer and go all the way down to their ankles."
Frederick then asked, "Does it get hot wearing your hijab in the summer?"
"Not really, it actually serves a purpose like your helmet. It helps keep the bright sun off of my head and the sand from blowing down my back. You get accustomed to wearing it very fast," Yasmine explained.
"So, do you come to the souk every day?" Frederick was intrigued by the souk and now wanted to learn more.
"Usually, my father is a potter craftsman here in the souk. He creates the special cooking pots called tajines, as well as platters and bowls which are sold in his store in the pottery area of the souk. His workshop is in the back where he has his potter's wheel and kiln. Out in front of the workshop, my family runs a store where we sell his tajines, bowls, and other pottery."
Yasmine continued, "I usually come here on weekends and sometimes after school to help sell the pots for him."
She added, "The summertime can be very busy with many visitors and tourists visiting Marrakech, so I come to help my mother almost every day. That way, my father can take a rest from spinning the clay and go have a cup of atai with my older brother and uncles."
"I would love to see his workshop. I have always been impressed by how potters can transform lumps of clay into beautiful pots, plates, and bowls. Plus those giant kilns that cook the clay are really cool — or should I say hot — too. But what is atai?" Frederick asked.
"Atai is a very popular drink here in Morocco and is very important in Moroccan culture," she explained.
"It is a sweet green tea flavored with mint leaves. Atai is traditionally made by the head of the family and served to guests. There is a very special way to prepare the tea, and it is considered an art form or ceremony," Yasmine went on.
Using her hands, she demonstrated. "The tea is poured from high above the glass to make foam on the tea and is served three successive times into smaller glasses. Each glass of tea has a unique flavor because the tea is allowed to steep or brew a little bit longer."
"Wow, that sounds pretty nifty, and it sure beats just popping the top on a can of soda!" Frederick replied. "Adding the mint would sure give the tea an interesting taste."
"It does and it can be very soothing on a hot day. Also, in our culture, it is okay to slurp your tea, so it can be fun and a little noisy too! Moroccan people also enjoy our spices and herbs. There is an entire section of the souk dedicated to spices. The vendors shape the spices into interesting and very colorful cones to lure people into their shops," Yasmine explained.
"The spices vary like the colors of the rainbow, and you can smell every imaginable and fragrant aroma," she continued.
"There are golden yellows, deep reds, oranges, blacks, and all shades of white and tan. The fragrances are incredible too. Saffron, curry, cinnamon, pepper, paprika, cumin, mint ... the list can go on and on. I just love walking through the spice souk."
Frederick laughed. "It makes me hungry just thinking about it." "I can take you for a tour if you wish to see the sights here in Marrakech," Yasmine offered. "I do not have to work today, but I will need to tell my father. Plus, then you will be able to see his shop."
"Super-duper, I can't wait," Frederick eagerly answered.
CHAPTER 2
Tajines and Magic Carpets
Yasmine and Frederick made their way toward her father's shop. During their walk, Frederick was amazed by the number of shops and the variety of items being sold.
Yasmine informed Frederick, "Marrakech has been inhabited since 1062. It originally was a stopping point on the trade route between Europe through the Sahara Desert and into Africa. Caravans would stop in Marrakech to exchange goods, and the souk and city grew from this humble beginning."
As they wound their way through the narrow and winding alleys of the souk, they passed through the leather section. Frederick saw every imaginable type, style, and color of belt, purse, shoes and many other leather items.
Yasmine informed Frederick that leather tanning is a major business in Marrakech. "Tanners produce items that vary from wallets, to the soft leather slippers we Moroccans call babouches, jackets, and even mushroom-top-shaped pouf, which is a footstool or ottoman."
"Yasmine, I see you are wearing a pair of babouche slippers. While yours are modest, many of the ones I see are in bright colors and patterns with all kinds of tassels, embroidery, beading, and sequins. Is your version for a Moroccan and the others for tourists?" Frederick queried.
"No, I have several pair of babouche slippers, just like any girl, in multiple colors and styles. I bet you even have a couple pairs of shoes too!" she teased. "The pair I am wearing today is just my most comfortable for walking around."
"I really like those comfy-looking poufs too!" Frederick added. "I think having a couple of those around would be great to just sit on and chat."
"They are. We have a few at my house. Oh, we are entering the pottery souk now. My father's shop is just up ahead," Yasmine pointed out.
As they moved from one souk to another, the atmosphere and smells changed. All of these shops contained decorated pots, pitchers, plates, and bowls for sale. Many had intricate and multicolored patterns, but some were more natural, simple, and subdued.
Frederick asked, "Are the brightly decorated pots also for tourists to buy?"
"No. Just like most people have regular glasses and plates for everyday use and fancy versions for guests, so do Moroccans. They are all made the same way by the potters, only some get decorated to be more formal. Plus, the more decorated the piece, it is usually more expensive. We have a regular tajine for everyday use but we also have some very ornate ones for holidays or when special guests visit our home."
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Spin the Globe: The Incredible Adventures of Frederick von Wigglebottom by Edward Moldenhauer, Kenn Yapsangco. Copyright © 2015 Edward Moldenhauer. Excerpted by permission of Trafford Publishing.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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