I spent a week by myself in Marrakech in late August, in the kind of suffocating heat that sane people try to avoid. And I absolutely loved it. The city is a photographer’s playground and unlike anywhere else in the world. I took hundreds of pictures and scribbled down lengthy notes in my journal, but feel like there is still so much more for me to learn.

Marrakech’s medina is as overwhelming as it is fascinating. I got lost on several occasions as I attempted to navigate the labyrinth of alleyways. But the one place that is impossible to miss is Djemaa El Fna, a vast square full of rowdy merchants promising to give you “a special price,” henna tattoo artists, and musicians. I remember observing the action from the terrace of Le Grand Balcon du Café Glacier. The call to prayer sounded at sunset and the sky changed from azure to a delicious shade of golden peach. Gas lanterns were turned on and smoke from the food stalls wafted through the air. I felt intensely alive and knew there was nowhere else I’d rather be than in the middle of all the madness.

In the early mornings, Marrakech is an entirely different city. It almost feels docile, and there are far more pigeons than hawkers on the streets. I wandered through the Kasbah neighbourhood as the locals began commuting to work, running errands, and setting up shop for the day. The Leica Q is my favourite camera to shoot with in situations like this. It is as discrete as it is powerful, and allows me to capture intimate moments without drawing too much attention to myself. My friend Elias, a Marrakech-based street photographer, aptly described it as “the Rolls-Royce of street photography cameras.”

But the Q is as adept at capturing interiors as it is the outside world. The architecture in the city’s hotels is a beautiful blend of Arab, Berber, and European influences. I had the pleasure of staying at Jnane Tamsna, a timeless oasis in the Palmeraie district. I often found myself wandering into the parlor to peruse the impressive collection of books as Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra classics played in the background. My experience there, as it was in so many parts of Marrakech, was magical.

All I can think about now is booking a flight back. The late fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent found endless inspiration in Morocco and once said, “A visit to Marrakech was a great shock to me. This city taught me colour.” I too, was dazzled by my time in Marrakech. The colours. The textures. The light. The shadows. I am certain that my love affair with the city has only just begun.

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