Marrakech’s famous Djemaa el Fna is part foodie heaven, part carnival.  Wander this bustling square and you’ll soon find there is plenty to distract you.  But you had best be on guard – if you aren’t looking, you may find your hand henna-ed, a monkey pulling on your pant leg or, if you are a small boy, a snake draped over your neck by a local snake charmer.

If I may have your attention, ladies and gentleman, please examine Exhibit A.

This is actually the after shot.  Moments earlier, Chet and I, distracted by a dancing cobra nearby, didn’t see this gentleman approach with the snake.  Dropped down around his shoulders, to say my boy freaked out is a bit of an understatement.  I thought his screams might summon the police.  With some help, I separated the two, put Chet back in the safety of his stroller and suggested a different approach to our new Moroccan friend.

I can’t lie.  As a Mom, I hoped we could salvage the situation and convince Chet the snake wouldn’t hurt him so he didn’t harbor an unnatural fear of snakes for the rest of his life.  But as a traveling Mom, I hoped we could salvage the situation and convince Chet the snake wouldn’t hurt him so I could get a good photo.

This was the best I could do.  And when I put the snake around my own neck to show Chet there was nothing to fear?  He rolled his eyes and said, “Stop it, Mommy.  That’s gross.”

I’m guessing a boa constrictor as pet is not in my family’s future.  Maybe I should consider myself lucky.

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