Morocco Day 8: Essaouira

We left at 8:30am this morning. I slept well since I was exhausted last night from walking 7 miles all day. We drove west toward the city of Essaora which will be our home for the night.

En route we stopped to see goats on tress. These goats are on Argan trees, and help farmers with pruning. Afterwards we stopped at a co-op of women that produce argon oil. They sold several products that contain argan oil. I was able to taste honey from the argon flower, it was very very sweet! I did not buy anything because I felt as if these prices were a bit inflated. I also walked next door to a wood shop where they had gorgeous items made of beautiful wood. A tray I liked was $500 US dollars which I thought was absolutely nuts. I did look at the details of it and it was beautiful, but I didn’t buy it. We continued to our hotel and right away I went to my room and I got ready to go out. I researched the best seafood restaurant and walked there on my own. Most of the people in group went to the rooftop or across the street where our Tour Director suggested. As my usual, I went against the grain a bit. My lunch was absolutely delicious and I had a nice time in my own enjoying my food and view of the beach.

I asked one of the people who worked at the restaurant where I could buy argan oil where locals go. They told me exactly where to go. So I walked about 20 minutes north into the Médina and I found the place they suggested. I ended up buying the same products as at the co-op for half the price. The girl that worked at the store told me that they charge twice as much at the co-op because they are giving demonstrations of how the oil is made. I was happy I didn’t buy anything at the co-op! Since I was in the Médina and I had a lot of free time I de used to keep walking and I found a little place that sold shoes for super cheap so I got a pair. Then I found a wood worker who sells his woodwork and it was literally a 10th if the cost from earlier in the day where our Tour Director had taken us to. He showed me his pictures of the wood he works with and showed me how he makes his pieces. I could see he was the actual maker of the products and I could see his workshop. So I was happy to buy directly from him. I found a beautiful tray with mother of pearl embedded into the wood. I continued walking around a bit then decided to head back to my hotel to relax a bit.

After relaxing for about an hour, I met with my tour group at 5:30 and we were taken to the Médina. We walked around and I was able to see the other side of the Médina which I had not made it to previously. We also went to where cannons used to be for a view of the whole city. It was a nice walk.

I chose to return to the hotel and freshen up then met for dinner at 8. We drove to a rooftop restaurant to watch the sunset and enjoy some tapas and drinks. There was a couple from Australia celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. I told our Tour Director about it and they received a desert dish, then had a dance to Peter, Paul, and Mary. Now, I don’t believe in coincidences. This is the same trio that sang mine and Chris’s wedding song. Not sure how I held it together but it was very emotional for me. It truly made me miss Chris so much! I held it together and we ended our evening and went back to our hotel. It was a wonderful day!