We arrived at the Bus station at 8am to try to book our tickets to Essaouira on the coast of Morocco, unfortunately because of the high season and Moroccan holidays the buses were full up.
We bumped into 3 English girls from our Sahara trip at the bus station, and decided that we would get a grand taxi instead.
After alot of bartering (reducing the price from 1200 dirham to 650) us four girls squished in the back, with Matt and the driver in the front.
The journey was a 2hr, white knuckle, nail bitting, taken 10 yrs off our lives, ride!!! But we arrived safely in the end!
With our trusty Lonely Planet book in hand we set off to find accomodation, parting ways with the girls.
For the rest of the afternoon we ambled around the souqs and medina walls, enjoying the cool sea breeze (HEAVEN!).
Whilst walking through the souqs, we were called into a stall by a young Berber guy to have alook at his spices and remedies. After all the invitations that we had been offered like this we were about to decline, but thankfully we agreed!!! We were offered tea, and sat about chatting for hours. His name was Abdo, and he invited us back later that night to join him for dinner.
We spent the rest of the afternoon meandering along the beach, checking out the port, and relaxing in our beautiful terrace room in our riad.
We joined Abdo, Abdula (his berber friend) and Louisa (Abdulas french girlfriend) back at the shop before dark.
Abdo showed us around the souqs, and into the vegetable, poultry and meat markets, where he bought veges, meat and oil for our dinner. Picking up some Tajine spices from his shop, he then took us to "The Berber Cafe" where we dropped off the food to be cooked. We were told to come back at 10pm when it would be ready.
We went back to the shop to pass the time by watching TV, drinking tea, smoking ciggies, and talking. At 10pm we headed up to the cafe for our feast of Tajine. It was absolutely delicious!! We ate berber style, using bread as utensils, great food and great company.
After dinner we were taken to a bar on the main square, where we shared a bottle of Moroccan wine and sampled the local beer (not bad either!).
It was a brilliant day, and an unforgettable evening. We are so thankful that we walked into that shop, and thankful for the hospitality that we were given.
|  | 
|
