The narrow alleyways of the medina, vibrant and full of life the previous night, was now a series of shuttered shops. The street-cleaners were making their way around, sweeping away memories, stories and remnants of the last 12 hours. The loud cries of the daily newspaper delivery crew, echoed through the long hallowed hallways and dark alleys, the only sign heralding the new day.

Here and there, a few shops opened up, the owners still recovering from their sleepy stupor, with some clutching the mass of crumpled newspapers, while others were trying to start their daily routine with morning tea. The air was cool and refreshing, filled with the scent of earthly petrichor, as well as the strong scents of mint tea and spices. The noise levels, quiet at first, rose slowly with the arrival of shoppers and tourists. It was going to be another great day of routine business in the medina of Marrakech.

I spotted these two gentlemen waiting to being their daily routines while still trying to catch up on sleep.

Jemaa el-Fnaa
Marrakech Morocco