On arrival in Algeciras, Spain, I made my way to the port to catch a ferry across to Tangiers, Morocco. From there, I would catch an train to Marrakesh. I was worried about going to Morocco on my own, because I had heard so many people say how overwhelming it was. I took my chances and went by myself. I met several people on the 2 1/2 hour ferry ride, but nobody was going to Marrakesh. So, I was on my own.
I got a lot of sun on the trip over. I gave several people tips about Morocco I had read in my guidebook and remembered from my research on the Internet (who knew there was something on the Internet other than porn?).

Totally paranoid from all the stories I had heard about Morocco, I had bought luggage locks and wrapped my pack in plastic to discourage thieves. Upon arrival in Tangiers, I expected to be swarmed by beggars and people hawking their wares. In actual fact, I wasn't hassled much more than in Europe. I had my first lesson in haggling in French as I bartered back and forth with a cab driver for the fare to the train station. I managed to get a respectable bargain. Not bad for my first time!
I arrived at the train station to find that the next train to Marrakesh wasn't departing for another five hours! I was alone in the train station with nothing to do. Fortunately, lots of fellow backpackers showed up over the next several hours. All were heading to Marrakesh. I met a Canadian couple (on the left) and an American/Aussie couple (on the right). We sat on a patio and chatted while we waited for the train (no beers, because Muslims do not drink alcohol).  I felt much better that I wasn't going to travel alone.

We watched a gorgeous sunset while listening to the melodic strains of Muslim prayers being broadcast over a loudspeaker (happens several times a day). It was a spellbinding moment. I was beginning to really like Morocco!
When the train finally arrived, the only people in the sleepers were tourists. The rest of the train was filled with Moroccan locals. We were separated from them by a chained and locked door. I managed to talk the conductor into letting me wander the train where I met a whole car full of very loud and fun loving Moroccans. We chatted and laughed for hours before I decided to turn in for the night.
Once I arrived in Marrakesh, I made my way to the town center to find a place to stay. I got a single room with a sink for 40 dirham (about 4 euros). It was a bit dodgy but I didn't much care. I decided to wander around the medina. Everywhere I went, people were calling me over to get me to buy stuff. "Hey friend! Good price for you!" was their constant mantra.
I took a picture of this snake charmer (yep, that's a real cobra in the picture above). They immediately offered to take my picture with a snake around my neck. Afterwards, they demanded 200 dirhams for the picture they took with my camera! I was a bit flustered and talked them down to 100 dirhams (still way too much). I was angry with myself for letting myself get taken so easily, but learned my lesson fast.

I wandered the medina, checking out the various stores. Everything was so cheap and so cool. Imagine Pier One Imports at 1/20th the price. I would have bought tons of stuff, but I knew that everything I bought I would have to carry. So I limited myself to a drum and a few trinkets.

Medina Stall #6. The best fresh-squeezed orange juice I've ever had.

I ran into Adam and Robyn (the American/Aussie couple) and hung with them for the rest of the day. The place they stayed at had a pool, so I managed to escape the heat for a while. Here we're sitting on a patio overlooking the square.
At night, the city comes alive as every local heads for the town square (called Djema'a al-Fna - Assembly of the Dead). Food stalls are setup and incredible food can be eaten for very little money. People gather around to watch impromptu plays, singalongs and even math lessons written on the asphalt. It was an incredible experience to just walk around and take in the spectacle.