Essaouria

After a few days in Marrakech, we took a 3.5 hr bus ride to the coastal town of Essaouira. The vibe of Essaouria was much like any beach town, laid back and chill. It was a pleasant welcome after the hustle and craziness of Marrakech.

See more photos of Essaouria here.

Marrakech: Food Stalls

I think one of my favorite things about Marrakech was Djemma el Fna a.k.a. the food stalls. As the sun begins to set and the men prepare their stalls, the air starts to fill with with great aroma. It's quite a spectacle and amazing that they do this every night. 

Snail soup: I think my parents will be shocked that I ate this. I was a very picky eater when I was younger. And I have to admit it wasn't too bad, but I do prefer how the Parisians prepare their escargot.

Harira soup: A traditional Moroccan soup made out of tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas, and an assortment of herbs and spices. It was very similar to minestrone soup.

Lamb Sausage: These little links of lamb sausage were very flavorful and great with the salsa like dipping sauce.

See more food photos here.

Marrakech: Lamb Alley

When a friend of mine heard that I was going to Morocco, he sent me this picture (man on the left). He told me to find this man at Mechoui Alley. Luckily we stumbled upon the alley and I showed this picture to the man (on the right) and asked where I can find him. He said, "That is my father." At first, I didn't believe him because I thought he just wanted us to eat at his shop. But he quickly pointed out the stars and the tiles were the same in the background. There was no doubt there and he welcomed us to his delicious slow roasted lamb.

The pit

The goods

More photos here.

Marrakech: Souks

Wandering around and shopping in the souks was interesting and fun. All the shops were neatly organized and each vendor welcomed you to come inside. "Looking is free" is what they always stated.

They had shoes in every color.

Scarves from floor to ceiling.

I really wished I could have bought more of their ceramics.

And of course, they had a great selection of spices.

Go here for more photos of the souks.

Marrakech: Jardin Majorelle

Jardin Majorelle is a calm and cool escape from the hot and bustling square of Marrakech. The garden was designed by the expatriate French artist Jacques Majorelle, then later bought and restored  by Yves Saint Laurent.

See more photos of Jardin Majorelle here.