Some fond memories of travelling in Morroco in 2008.
From my travel diary, Sunday 15th June, Marrakesh
Rounding one corner, somewhere in the maze of the souk, we were accosted by a trader who felt it an offense that I did not shake his hand. He turns out to be "Dr. Medhi", the world famous (in his own mind) "healer". He has met many people from Australia and helped them all (to lighten the weight of their purses and wallets).
He said he would check us over, and in fairness he did pinpoint (through the soles of my feet and down my arms) a number of points that recur for me; holding concern in my stomach, lower back pain and not drinking enough water (thanks for the last one Sherlock. I could go up to any Westerner in the street here and tell them with about 95% accuracy that they're not drinking enough water and are likely to be dehydrated). Anyway, I have number 1 top liver! And spleen. And number 1 top circulation (which one is it? Liver or circulation?!) And I'm a baby making machine baby! (well I know that already). All in all a good man in good health with a good spirit (I don't know about that last one. I finished my little bottle of Jameson's whiskey last night), though a bit hydrated (it's 38°c outside!). So I get a healing massage good for four months and then it's Pam's turn.
Five fist crunches, feet thing, and arm thing. Ah, so Pam is a deep thinker, even deeper than me (and I was a deep, deep thinker), holding things inside. Other than that she's in fine form, but still gets a healing massage (why?), good for two months.
The good "Doctor" then presents us with his bill. And if he's so good, why is he selling scarves in a backstreet in a souk in Marrakesh? Deepak Chopra isn't. He's living it big in California with celebrity neighbours. Though maybe he has a scarf stall at Santa Monica on a Sunday morning? Doctor Medhi still has some way to go to reach Deepak's level though, but at least he's trying. His 1000 dirham consultation fee is a start and it's a humorous one at that (it is said that laughter is the best medicine). Based on Doctor Medhi's humour I'll never be sick again! After much haggling he kindly reduces it to 600 dirham (I'm still laughing. Inside, Ironically). We offer a far too generous 300 dirham and stick to it, the genius doctor (genius as a charlatan) only agreeing when Pam turns her number 1 excellent good health on to him in a sharp and assertive final "300".
We leave feeling we've been taken in; a visit to a real doctor in Ireland cost us €50 and he really did take the piss, but only to confirm Pam's pregnancy. Still, it was a great experience of Marrakesh.
(I think I need to stop writing now to go to get a glass of water).
Questions;
Has anyone else run into the world famous Dr. Medhi?
Does Deepak Chopra have a scarf stall in Santa Monica?
