The morning light in Essaouira

Essaouira is perhaps one of the most beautiful places in wonderful Morocco. This morning, in fantastic light, I had the opportunity to take some souvenir photos with my smartphone. Staying near the harbor, I walked there to photograph the fishing boats returning from the sea early this morning.

Fishing boats in the port of Essaouira on April 4, 2025

A stop at a street café

Few people were out and about at the harbor and in the city's narrow streets at that time of day. On my way back, I stopped for a quick breakfast at a small street café. Two young women from France were already there. They were traveling to Marrakech that day. We chatted for a while. I gave them a tip about the departure point for the buses to Marrakech. Shortly afterward, they continued on their way with their luggage.

A box made from the root of the Thuya tree

The last few days have been packed with interesting experiences. I've been here since March 29th, having taken a taxi from Marrakech. Yesterday, for example, I bought a wooden box made of thuya wood in a small shop. The flexible tree grows in the Atlas Mountains, and its roots provided the base for the box. I got the lovely piece for the equivalent of €12. On the way here, I also bought eight postcards for my art project, which I call Fornos. The images are drawn from the everyday lives of the people in this city. I combine these postcards, or other images, with pictures from my personal life, creating a composite piece of four to nine motifs. This way, I create a window into life.

Moroccan cuisine

I keep getting bouts of diarrhea on my trip. Eating bread before meals, along with taking anti-diarrheal medication, helps me manage. Moroccan cuisine offers a wide variety of dishes, so I'm always tempted to try new things.

The area around the center of Essaouira – the Place de Cecile

Cecile

Since March 30th, I've been staying with Cecile. She's originally from Nice, France, and settled here a few years ago. She's very friendly and welcoming. Last night, two more guests arrived at her house from Germany. The young women are very outgoing and, after their long journey from Frankfurt, wanted to have breakfast this morning, so they left the house.

I'm excited to see what else I'll encounter during my time in Essaouira. :D