Monday, June 2, 2008

People about Town/ Essourira

A couple of people have asked how far Essouira is from Marrakech. It's a two and a half hour car or bus ride - down a 2 lane highway.........
used by buses and lorries/trucks/ motorcycles, donkey carts......etc etc.
To tell the truth, it's a bit hair-raising.
You travel directly west to the Atlantic coast through stony desert - a rather lunar landscape - until you come to gentle rolling hills with lots of argan nut trees which goats climb up.
All very pretty but I'm glad when we get to the top of the hill and look down on Mogador (the old name for Essouira).




In the late afternoon all the schoolchildren spill onto the street, chattering and giggling and glad to be free for a moment.
The girls whispers secrets to their friends...........



The boys wear blue smocks over their clothes and the girls wear pink ones.



Looking down from the window of our hotel at the little hardware store.
You can see little open sacks of dye powder. Think what fun all you craft experts could have with it. Willow, would it make the dog hair you're spinning prettier.......?



Down by the harbor, some fishermen in their rubber boots and thick sweaters sit by the orange juice stands.


Sitting by the dock of the bay........or rather standing and sitting, just enjoying the view.

19 comments:

natural attrill said...

I wish Essaouira wasnt so far away, I'd like to pop back for a weekend.
Lovely to see all your photo's.
Penny.

Unknown said...

I noticed that in Marrakesh the girls wear white aprons while the girls in Essouira wear pink!

Madame Monet

High Desert Diva said...

I need a getaway to the coast...

Anonymous said...

it has been 35 years since i spent a month sitting on a balcony overlooking the sea in Essourira, drinking bootleg booze and smoking keif(?). my late husband and i were young, no kids, recent graduates. i stumbled on your website one day and it brings back such memories. the smell of the dye vats on the top of the medina, i have never smelled anything like it ever again. being run over by a donkey. thanks so much.
margie

My Castle in Spain said...

only yesterday we praised Essaouira to a friend...such a special place.
Of course, taking the bus is a little bit tiring. On our way back to Marrakesh, we took a cab after long discussions about the price..

Wish you a lovely monday!

Tess Kincaid said...

Fun to see the school kids!

Barbara said...

This was interesting Elizabeth. The road does sound scarey but also exciting. I am trying to imagine the landscape.

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

The two things that struck me the most were the blue and pink smocks (that's such a western--I don't mean cowboys--concept, blue for boys and pink for girls), and that goats climb trees!

Anonymous said...

The blue is just amazing.

Prêt à Voyager said...

Thanks for the info. Marrakesh and Essouira are definitely high on my list :)

Anne

HeyMorocco said...

Thanks for you visit last time, finally we are live.
Let me know, what do you think..

Willow said...

Do Essourians wash their blue dye pots in the sea and scrub everywhere with a blue dyed brush? It certainly looks like it. What kinds of dyes are sold? Chemical? Natural? And what are those brilliantly colored dyes used for?

Willow said...

Unfortunately, Nothing but vinegar of Febreeze will help the spinning of the dog hair (which is out of the house, posted off to my friend).

Marja said...

very interesting. On the pictures I have from Marocco the children wear the same brown garments with hats as on the last picture. Is it traditional to Marocco

Anonymous said...

At the moment I have a picture of those bags of dye (yes, the very same ones) as my screensaver!
Joan

An Aesthete's Lament said...

We used to stay at a subpar hotel in Essaouira called the Sheherezade, I think. But would make up for it by having drinks at L'Heure Bleu.

Vanessa said...

First you cross the desert. Then you find the oasis. Sounds like a good deal to me! :-) Well done, yet again.

Lavinia said...

Would love to visit here. The last photo is a very interesting composition, quite artistic.

Lora @ my blessed life said...

I love those bags of dye!!