Leaving the fishing harbor, we work our way back into the medina where we are met by our guide / driver Tahar, who has a surprise in store for us. Famished, he leads us through through the labyrinth of narrow streets that cross at right angles the major thoroughfare Avenue de L'Istiqlal. Thankfully, the medina is for non-motorized vehicles only. Passing the Grand Mosque in the heart of the medina, we stare in awe of the geometry required to create a beveled keystone. It is absolutely amazing! Passing through the Souk Jdid, we pass stalls where fresh fish, spices and grains are sold. We peek into another souk selling second-hand clothes, furniture and collectables — wishing we weren't so hungry and being quickly herded along. Everywhere are intriguing entrances and those glorious Moroccan blue doors. |
Enroute, a very small "kitchen" with a few tables and chairs are pointed out. Cleverly, these are "public" kitchens where people (particularly men) can go to prepare their meals since not everyone has their own. We are delighted to discover that one of these such establishments is where we are going for lunch. While we were touring this morning, Tahar collected the necessary ingredients and cooked his "famous" seafood tagine, which we'd been hearing about for a couple of weeks! |
After lunch we head back to the Riad Dar Maya to undertake packing up all of the things we have been collecting on our adventure to bring home. Unfortunately, I did not have presence of mind to photograph the three motley looking boxes filled with a donkey pannier, silver-plated mint teapots, small carpets, books, a flower distiller, argan oil, rose water, several varieties of honey, and more!
On the way back to our favorite restaurant Madada, we pop into Gallery Frédéric Damgaard to view some local contemporary art by a group of painters known as "free artists." The work is fascinating in part because Morocco, as an Islamic country, had no tradition of representing human and animal forms in its art. Each artists works in their own unique style. I am especially drawn to the style they refer to as Naive Painting by self-taught artists. Some of the work reminds me of aboriginal art in that it is imbued with a sense of dreamtime and mysticism. Sadly, none capture my attention to the point of purchase and figuring out shipping arrangements at this late hour and our leaving early tomorrow morning, but the art of several artists is now on my radar screen — particularly Abdallah el Atrach!
Dinner is a sumptuous redux of last night — piña colada, lobster pastilla, and a lamb tagine. Perfect.
On the way back to our favorite restaurant Madada, we pop into Gallery Frédéric Damgaard to view some local contemporary art by a group of painters known as "free artists." The work is fascinating in part because Morocco, as an Islamic country, had no tradition of representing human and animal forms in its art. Each artists works in their own unique style. I am especially drawn to the style they refer to as Naive Painting by self-taught artists. Some of the work reminds me of aboriginal art in that it is imbued with a sense of dreamtime and mysticism. Sadly, none capture my attention to the point of purchase and figuring out shipping arrangements at this late hour and our leaving early tomorrow morning, but the art of several artists is now on my radar screen — particularly Abdallah el Atrach!
Dinner is a sumptuous redux of last night — piña colada, lobster pastilla, and a lamb tagine. Perfect.