Although I do love travelling, and trying out new and exotic things, I must confess to having brought some English teabags with me on this trip to Morocco. I really love mint tea, which of course the country is famous for, and drink it a lot in Spain, but knew that I would have self catering facilities in Essouria, so thought I would treat myself.

It’s funny what we find comforting isn’t it. Although so much of Morocco is very different, increasing globalisation means that the food in the supermarkets here is very much the same, especially as in Spain. Even the smaller shops have familiar brands.

I have yet to visit any country where there has been no unfamiliar food or drink. I still remember the amazement at finding Coke, Mars Bars, and Pringles in the little village shop high in the Nepalese mountains when I went on my visit there some years ago.

If you would like to read about that trip I have a page linked from my main page, for some reason it won’t let me link it into this post.

My accommodation in Essouria is very different though, especially from the modern hotel in Agadir. It is in the medina, in the walled city, in fact you couldn’t get much nearer than this. Below is my view from the window of the studio.

This is it from the other side of the walls.

I am staying in Dar 91, which is an old watchtower built into the medina walls. I was attracted by the sheer gorgeousness of this little studio, isn’t it amazing?

I didn’t have too much trouble finding it 😉 I have become quite good at navigating my way around old walled places after medieval Caceres in Spain, and the warren that is Venice earlier this year. Google maps helps a lot as well, I have got a Moroccan sim card for my time here, invaluable as I have now learnt to pin everything I need.

As you can see the building has been restored. Many of the medina buildings have, or are being, usually into tourist accommodation like these below.

I am very aware that this is a dilemma that all places such as this have. As with Venice tourism brings money to be able to restore buildings that are historic and badly need it. However, that brings more tourism, which can cause more problems, such as crowds, pricing locals out of the environment. As I mentioned in my Venice posts, there is always an ethical dilemma about where you chose to spend your tourist money.

Part of the reason that I chose this accommodation, was that the owners, who are not Moroccans, have made a commitment to employ local people, use local craftspeople, and contribute part of their profits back to the local economy.

There are still many unrestored properties, that are crumbling on the upper floors, but many still have their beautiful doors intact.

The journey here from Agadir was really good, my first by bus in Morocco, and it was a very comfortable and interesting journey, along the coastline and through the mountains on very winding roads. I saw a few herds of camel, and many sheep and goats, alongside many, many motorhomes. Morocco is a very popular van life destination, and there are lots of, mainly French it seems, vans here.

Essouria is a very different type of city to Agadir, small and very laid back, famous for its kite surfing and water sports. I am here for another few days, so will post again later in the week. WordPress is acting up, and keeps losing posts, or not letting me save, so I will post this now, and update you again later.

In the meantime, have fun, take care, stay safe and thanks for visiting.