July 15th

Yesterday as we were ready to do our walk about, I heard our neighbors. They are bringing in new furniture. I wanted to return their dish, so I popped out. They apologized for the noise. A conversation ensued, leading to them asking about our apartment, own vs. rental, then who we rented from, and trying to exchange name of our person, to who owns it. Then they offered us a couscous. We declined and said we were going out. They took their dish. Nice family.

We went out and walked along the boardwalk and to the Carre Four. On the boardwalk we were shocked how full the beach was! Super busy! I think we were offered a camel/horse/quad adventure five or six times. It was getting humorous. We went on to the Carre Four. Bought mushrooms and water. Hailed taxi because of water. Arrived back and Jeff went to get us Shawarma for lunch. Just about 45 minutes after we finished and settled to watch some you tube… Our upstairs neighbors brought us… you guessed it, a huge platter of chicken/vegetable couscous! Wow, really!! It was hot, but we were so full and we had declined.  OH, MY!!  So we put it in refrigerator and will sort it out later. We ended up separating it and pureeing some of the veggies for a soup with bread. (We are both are kind of done with couscous, don't judge.)  Anyway, Moroccans can be very giving!

Today, at 800, we noticed they have started working on “our square” again. This project – we saw on our walk yesterday has evolved over to the street right next to the Media (the second street over from us), specifically, the sidewalks and curbing. So it is a big job! Anyway, they are spreading out gravel foundation around the apartment complex, of which the first floor is shops and restaurants. They are still open and have to move tables and chairs they just set up. For this being a construction zone, there are a bunch of pedestrians meandering about. This is due to not sectioning it off!! It's definitely not an OSHA approved site! LOL!!!

After breakfast, we set off for our daily walkabout. Decided to do a bit longer trek; went through Medina to port. We stopped and watched a competition. It was like a cross between bowling and bouche ball, called Petanque. Locals were being scored as they threw a shot put-type ball into a ring trying to hit other balls. Facinating, how much spin they can put on that ball. Now we went down the boardwalk – beach is still very occupied, but it is Saturday; then angled to main street of Essaouira; and back via local streets to our place. We almost achieved our 10,000 steps in one outing. Lunch time, we sauteed almost all of the rest of veggies, except cabbage wedge – that will be another meal, along with the chicken (We are going to end up with five meals from that platter of couscous, without eating the couscous! Crazy, right?) 

There is a bunch of work going on inside the apartment buildings here as well as the square outside. So it may be an up and coming place to stay next year(?) It has been fun to see the work being done. Anyway supper will be light, and hopefully involve a sunset.