Carnival

The Carnival stays all summer in Essaouria. It was there until the end of Ramadan and everyone came out for it and stayed all night long. Seriously, all ages, and all hours.

Balloons

All the kids carry around balloons with grains inside. The play with them for hours and they make cool sounds. These pictures were taken in the grain market in Essaouria. It was a very depressing little square with a few cafes and a few shops. The same people were there every day with buckets hoping that they would get any amount of grains from the sellers..or get run off from the sacks that were being filled. Considering a bucket would be filled for around maybe 5 DH that would be less than $1.

Blue Skies: Essaouria

I Left Essaouria on Monday. Sept 21st. Ramadan ended that day and the celebrations began. That morning it was very quiet. The only people in the streets were tourists. Everyone was having break-fast with their families. It was also a turning point in my trip.

I met people in Essaouria, I felt good there, comfortable, safe and it was a trip within a trip.

What was supposed to be a weekend trip would turn into a lot more.

I took the 330 bus back to Marrakesh and was planning on returning in less than 48 hours.

the bus ride is 2 1/2 hours with a 20 min stop at a 'bus stop' cafe.

When we got to the stop.. everyone smokes a cigarette, uses the bathroom, gets a coffee.

We all pile back on the bus ready to go and nothing happens... for 30 minutes until some nice man finally told us all that the bus was not going anywhere and we had to wait to for a bus to come get us. It would be 2 hours.

So what was supposed to be an easy quick trip turned into my first REAL understanding of what would be known as 'Moroccan Time'.

Fishes

Selling at the port, right off the boat.

Fishing Nets: Essaouira

 Fishing nets being tied up for the next day.

Blue Boats:Essaouira

Essaouria. It used to be one of the largest ports of North Africa. It is still a major fishing port the fish from here gets shipped all over Morocco. The boats are all blue. It is great to get there in the morning when they are all coming in and selling at the stalls.

You can also buy the fish, take it to the stands and have them cook it for you any way you want. Grilled is the best!

computer meltdown

I got back to Marrakesh and had every intention of catching up on my posting, but my computer had other plans. It completely died. All my pictures are okay...and all my other data as far as I know. I am back in US and just dropped it off for diagnosis.

So I am now using another computer and will begin to try to complete what I began.

Essaouira...and beyond

I left Marrakesh for the weekend for Essaouria on Sept 18th. I stayed for three nights came back to collect my things and went straight back on Wednesday the 23. I stayed for one week.

It is an amazing location and a ton of fun. Lots of travellers, lots of people, lots of locals. Without the chaos of Marrakesh. It is what I had wanted and needed after two weeks in the city. It is much more the laid back vibe of a beach town and people talking around cafes.

Tons of reggae and great music. Staying up late at night playing cards and drinking tea..and once Ramadan ended...drinking tons of wine.

I have a lot to update and will do so soon.

My time in morocco was extended to go on a journey with some people I met in Essaouria. We went further south to Legzira and then on to Tarafroute. It was a long journey and I am glad to be back in the city with comforts and without lugging around the bags. But it is sad to know I wil be leaving Morocco in two days for Paris.

I am still figuring out what to do next. I am not quite ready to come home. I am very excited to finally buy a few gifts now that I am here... and of course pine for those things I saw and didn't pick up on the way.

I have a lot of pictures to load...

all is good. It is still extremely hot though.

We are going out to dinner tonight..and after a few so-so meals..it iwll be nice to eat well.

Hope to visit the Cascades tomorrow...and then on to the next journey.