That's Greenwich Mean Time! And It's Ramadan here in Morocco. Both are having an influence on our days. We are settled in Asilah, Camping Echrigui, right next to the sea. Plenty of shade and cool sea breezes makes this a perfect place to be at rest. Added to that, it's Ramadan and for a whole month the locals eat and drink after the sun goes down and stop when it rises. ! It also explains GMT as the clocks went back as Ramadan started. They only went forward a month ago, back 1 hour for Ramadan and forward again when it finishes.
And the effect of all this ? Well, at times it feels like Morocco has shut down. These streets are normally bustling with folk, tourists and locals, going about their lunchtime affairs. Now, at this time of day, hardly a soul to be seen. An occasional bemused tourist looking for somewhere to have lunch ! Most shops are closed except for banks etc, who keep their hours according to the clock.
We joke, " what time is it ? 8 o'clock here, 9 in Britain and 10 in Spain. Which one would we like ! "
Out through the campsite gate, we immediately see empty beaches . Surely this scene would be busy out of the spiritual month.
We love it ! Deserted golden sands, delightful water temperature. Long walks.
Hotels are empty as is trade for the local camel rides.
If spirituality improves this month, it must be at the expense of earthly wealth. Not a coffee shop open, most cafes closed, odd hours.
Amazing.
We see two extremes in the locals. Beautiful, courteous folk. Welcoming us to their time of spirituality. And foul tempers flaring up in the streets, no doubt over small things but no smoking is also a part of the daily fast.
Late afternoon is a very different affair in town. Bustling with people, shopping and chatting. There is an excitement in the air. In fact, shopping for food has been going on all day, if you know where to look. There is food to be prepared. A lot of it. For as soon as the sun goes down, a siren goes off and it's time to eat, drink and be merry ! For most of the night it seems ! So food preparation is going on all day. Bread is for sale in the afternoon only, mountains of it. On carts. And as the bewitching hour approaches ( 7.45 here, later in Britain ! ) the streets empty. Honestly. Hardly a soul to be seen, except someone late home, rushing to get to his table.
Oh yes, and men are not permitted to oggle women before sunset. ! So we'd better get a move on eh Krysia, because when the sun goes down, !!!!!!
Enough, I here you say. So let's get on with some beautiful trivia ! How about the fanciest 508 you'll ever see. What's a 508 ? Good question. Our van is a Mercedes 608D if you didn't know! And the van in the photos, is a 508D. Same engine and very similar body but as you can see, this has a very special paint job.
It's a break down truck. Depannage North Africa.
And Otmane is the owner, as well as this stunning looking land rover. The Merc is always parked in the same spot as we can testify from having seen it here over the past 6 years. We always wanted a photo of it but somehow only remembered as we were leaving or arriving at Asilah. So this time, we took a special detour to get a closer look. And Otmane jumped out of the shadows and started them up for us as well as showing us around. We're always glad to see a similar Mercedes to ours as you never know when a spare part might be needed. Especially with our track record !
So here we stay. Asilah. An unusual trip for us. Summertime and in Ramadan. The Strawberry moon coincides with the solstice, while a hot wind blows the temperatures into the 30's. The sun relentless. Every day.
As the sun goes down I ponder such great questions as "What am I doing Here " ?
Well in this shot, I am watching the sun go down ! But the bigger question goes unanswered, apart from such thoughts as:
Being a plonker !
Nothing better to do ?
Recovering from a previously incurable disease and incredibly lucky to be alive. !
Blessed to be a flower of consciousness on this crazy planet.
And on it goes, the thoughts that is. So I won't go on, I'll just put some more photos on this blog and stop boring the daylights out of you. Anyone there ? ? ?
Assilah is a lovely town. It has little bits from lots of towns in Morocco. Not too large but big enough to be interesting. An old part with touristy shops and the newer part where ordinary people shop.
And there are plenty of ordinary folk about. The surrounding countryside is agricultural and the streets as well as the souk, buzz with home grown producers selling their wares. Prices are low.
On the beach, what do we find.
Plastic
Glowing in the sunset.
Thick along the high tide mark. Is it any different wherever you are in the world. ?
Opposites.
On my right.
Beauty.
On my left
?
But we all like the beauty not the beast !
So we two beauties hold hands in the setting sun, on the strawberry full moon and wish all of you, joyful participation in the sorrows of the world. !
And the effect of all this ? Well, at times it feels like Morocco has shut down. These streets are normally bustling with folk, tourists and locals, going about their lunchtime affairs. Now, at this time of day, hardly a soul to be seen. An occasional bemused tourist looking for somewhere to have lunch ! Most shops are closed except for banks etc, who keep their hours according to the clock.We joke, " what time is it ? 8 o'clock here, 9 in Britain and 10 in Spain. Which one would we like ! "
Out through the campsite gate, we immediately see empty beaches . Surely this scene would be busy out of the spiritual month.
We love it ! Deserted golden sands, delightful water temperature. Long walks.
Hotels are empty as is trade for the local camel rides.
If spirituality improves this month, it must be at the expense of earthly wealth. Not a coffee shop open, most cafes closed, odd hours.
Amazing.
We see two extremes in the locals. Beautiful, courteous folk. Welcoming us to their time of spirituality. And foul tempers flaring up in the streets, no doubt over small things but no smoking is also a part of the daily fast.
Late afternoon is a very different affair in town. Bustling with people, shopping and chatting. There is an excitement in the air. In fact, shopping for food has been going on all day, if you know where to look. There is food to be prepared. A lot of it. For as soon as the sun goes down, a siren goes off and it's time to eat, drink and be merry ! For most of the night it seems ! So food preparation is going on all day. Bread is for sale in the afternoon only, mountains of it. On carts. And as the bewitching hour approaches ( 7.45 here, later in Britain ! ) the streets empty. Honestly. Hardly a soul to be seen, except someone late home, rushing to get to his table. Oh yes, and men are not permitted to oggle women before sunset. ! So we'd better get a move on eh Krysia, because when the sun goes down, !!!!!!
Enough, I here you say. So let's get on with some beautiful trivia ! How about the fanciest 508 you'll ever see. What's a 508 ? Good question. Our van is a Mercedes 608D if you didn't know! And the van in the photos, is a 508D. Same engine and very similar body but as you can see, this has a very special paint job.
It's a break down truck. Depannage North Africa.
And Otmane is the owner, as well as this stunning looking land rover. The Merc is always parked in the same spot as we can testify from having seen it here over the past 6 years. We always wanted a photo of it but somehow only remembered as we were leaving or arriving at Asilah. So this time, we took a special detour to get a closer look. And Otmane jumped out of the shadows and started them up for us as well as showing us around. We're always glad to see a similar Mercedes to ours as you never know when a spare part might be needed. Especially with our track record !
So here we stay. Asilah. An unusual trip for us. Summertime and in Ramadan. The Strawberry moon coincides with the solstice, while a hot wind blows the temperatures into the 30's. The sun relentless. Every day.
Well in this shot, I am watching the sun go down ! But the bigger question goes unanswered, apart from such thoughts as:
Being a plonker !
Nothing better to do ?
Recovering from a previously incurable disease and incredibly lucky to be alive. !
Blessed to be a flower of consciousness on this crazy planet.
And on it goes, the thoughts that is. So I won't go on, I'll just put some more photos on this blog and stop boring the daylights out of you. Anyone there ? ? ?
Assilah is a lovely town. It has little bits from lots of towns in Morocco. Not too large but big enough to be interesting. An old part with touristy shops and the newer part where ordinary people shop.
And there are plenty of ordinary folk about. The surrounding countryside is agricultural and the streets as well as the souk, buzz with home grown producers selling their wares. Prices are low.
Plastic
Glowing in the sunset.
Opposites.On my right.
Beauty.
On my left
?
But we all like the beauty not the beast !
So we two beauties hold hands in the setting sun, on the strawberry full moon and wish all of you, joyful participation in the sorrows of the world. !
