Sidi Ifni part 1 0f 3

The history of  the Moroccan seacoast is complicated --variously French, Spanish, Portuguese. You can read about it here.

Anyway, in late February we drove south to Sidi Ifni, where the Spanish were in charge until 1969. It has something of the air of a town-time-forgot --but the town hall is freshly painted.

This looks a little like a fort in the Spanish Sahara.

The cinema is being renovated --albeit astoundingly slowly.

The town square, high above the Atlantic, has charming plantings and a small encampments of protesters. We make a point of not getting involved in politics when abroad.

February flowers!

The Spanish consulate. A splendid building which could/should/maybe never will be restored!

A wall with shadows.

A mosque.

Looking down at the sea from the Belle Vue Hotel --a super precipitous view -- a rather tatty hotel

Exterior of the Belle Vue.

Robert outside the long defunct Twist Club

View over the rooftops from Xanadu where we stayed. A most wonderful, beautifully decorated French run riad.

Blue in Essouira/Feb

Unlike Marrakesh the pink city, Essouira is mostly blue and white.

Here an old house awaiting renovation

and an internal door at the hotel  Riad al Madina.

Doors and shutters heading to new homes.

Stairs to somewhere.....

Even blue phone booths....

but the door to the mosque is brown.

Currently I'm posting more Morocco photos here

In the Souks with Zaki/Feb 2013

In the spice market there are all sorts of delights

like snails

and chameleons.

And foxes drawn high up on the wall.

A young arm with a chameleon....

then we follow our leader

to find rosebuds

and spices of all sorts

and dingly things to wrap round napkins

and my absolute favorite --the tiles.

Back in Town --Briefly

Some things change --but much stays the same....

but the cats are certainly in the leather goods shop

and the spice market

where the lizard and the tortoises live too.

A big and wonderful change  --no bikes and mopeds in most of the souks!

Bliss.

There are notices to prove it.

But you still have to cart things around one way or another --by cart

by bike and so on.

The oranges are extra wonderful this year.

And last a cat in the slippers.

It's good to be back in Marrakesh after an absence.

Moulay Bouzerktoun

Thinking of the mosque by the sea

and the beach

and blue boats

A New Book

There are all sorts of things I miss about Marrakesh....

the patient donkeys amongst them....

not to mention the brilliance of the colors ( here in the dyer's souk)

and the Jardin Majorelle.

Marrakesh has so much that is beautifully shabby-chic (here at the Bahia Palace).

I always like this photo taken on rue riad Zitouna Djedid of three generations....

I miss the mystery of evening coming on in the square. So I'm really looking forward to the arrival of Maryam's new book which just came out.

Maryam Montague. photo courtesy google images

I imagine a compendium of delights awaits within. Click here to see.

Cooincidences/Paula Wolfert

One of my great friends in Morocco has a farm in the verdant land heading towards the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.

Such magical countryside!

Here looking out of the enclosed garden of the house where I had the most delicious trid I have ever eaten. Anyway, in the depths of New York winter, I hear that I have missed the publication of Paula Wolfert's new book, The Food of Morocco and that Barbara's family are in it.......... gosh! (http://moroccomama.wordpress.com/)

I order it immediately.

So many happy memories and hopes for food to come!

Pink

I miss having roses all year long......

A Door in Kennaria

 A room in a friend's house beckons. The tile floor, the funny old chair with the star design, the curtain billowing so slightly in the breeze.
Next month, I think we will be there.....

Presents and a Wonderful Giveaway

Shopping in Marrakesh is always wonderful fun.'

You can pick up the little bowls with the calligraphy design in the souks. They come in lots of colors. The tiles are handmade by a craftsman whose workshop is between the rue riad Zitoune LaKadim and rue riad Zitoune djedid.

The painter Mortesi's shop is next to the mellah market.

 But since I'm in New York, I won't be able to pick up

 any of these treasures before Christmas.

Next best place for unusual and lovely presents and accessories from all round the world is  Novica's website with super women's silk scarves ( like the ones they sent me above)

and also men's accessories like cuff links and walking sticks. Leave a comment below and I'll put your name in a jar and pick a winner to receive a $100 gift certificate from Novica. Drawing next Saturday November 5th.

(Novica are also looking for people who would like to host parties featuring all their fascinating products. Go here to find out more details.