My True Morocco – Two View Points in my Essaouira Experience – First time and the next time My heart was captured by Essaouira at the end of my first two weeks traveling in Morocco.
I am certainly not the first person to have been so taken with the town. Its’ history goes back to the 16th century as do many buildings in the Medina. The medina and ramparts bear a French imprint while the contemporary scene seems pure Moroccan. So, to me as a first-time visitor, it gives the impression of exotic and old, and at the same time familiar.
ESSAOUIRA EXPERIENCE
The beach stretching along Mohammed V provides a welcome reception. In the early morning, as we walk toward the fishing pier, we see a yoga group, and I briefly consider running down to join them. Essourians and tourists alike are fishing, running, playing football. Children were playing in the sand and shallow surf.
The Medina proved easy to navigate, as we could always judge where we were by checking the ramparts. Hanging out at the fishing pier was easily entertaining. The blue fishing boats, hard-working fisherman, displays of great seafood, and the never-ending entertainment of sea birds made for a special morning. An afternoon walk was spent checking out contemporary art galleries, and restaurants, and the view from the ramparts. In the late afternoon, a walk on the beach provided a surprise – the water was warm enough to swim! On my next trip to Essaouira I intend to:
- Take more beach walks
- Get into one of those beach yoga classes (get web site for Essaouira Yoga)
- Check out the outstanding wall art (get at least one web site)
- Ride a camel or horse on the beach
- Have tea on the beach and watch the sunset over water turn the Medina gold
- Buy fish at the port and have it grilled there.
- Try more restaurants both in and out of the Medina
Have you been to Essaouira? Tell me what you would do next time.
