About an hour from Casablanca sits the Portuguese fortification of Mazagan, now part of the city of El Jadida. Yes you did read that right.....a Portuguese city located along the Atlantic Coast of Morocco. Mazagan is one of the earliest settlements of Portuguese explorers in West Africa on route to India. Settled in the early 16th century the city was taken over by Moroccans in 1769 and later was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The nearby beaches of El Jadida were overflowing with Moroccan families hidden under beach umbrellas and tents. Children played in the wild Atlantic surf while their Mom's sit covered up in layers of clothing and head wraps nearby. Shirtless men and boys filled the streets, traffic was heavy and chaotic and people seemed to be everywhere.
Young boys and even a few women stood by the roadside jingling keys out in front of them. Not sure what this was all about I did some research to discover they are offering rooms for rent to tourists looking for them.
We stopped for a traditional "tagine" lunch of chicken with caramelized onions served alongside home made puffy, flat bread. For the equivalent of around $12 we both stuffed our faces using mostly OUR FINGERS ONLY. While we WERE given forks and knives as I looked around the room everyone was eating with their fingers so it seemed appropriate to follow along with tradition.
After lunch we explore the fort, watched children jumping off the wall into the water below and mingled with the locals in this old town that seemed to be lost in time. Charming cobblestoned streets filled with vendors selling most everything, we seemed to be the only white faces in the crowd of Moroccans. Another day of embracing the culture, learning some history, tasting the food and enjoying ourselves in Morocco.....along the gringo trail.
Around The Town
Bringing In The Catch Of The Day
Donkey Pulled Carts Everywhere
Moroccan Woman Crouched Near Ground
Cows In Back Of Truck
The nearby beaches of El Jadida were overflowing with Moroccan families hidden under beach umbrellas and tents. Children played in the wild Atlantic surf while their Mom's sit covered up in layers of clothing and head wraps nearby. Shirtless men and boys filled the streets, traffic was heavy and chaotic and people seemed to be everywhere.
The Beach
Woman Shaking Keys Out To Passing Cars
Men And Boys Keep Offering Me Keys To Their Apartment.....LOL
Another Key Shaker
We stopped for a traditional "tagine" lunch of chicken with caramelized onions served alongside home made puffy, flat bread. For the equivalent of around $12 we both stuffed our faces using mostly OUR FINGERS ONLY. While we WERE given forks and knives as I looked around the room everyone was eating with their fingers so it seemed appropriate to follow along with tradition.
Lunch Is Served....A Tagine
Chicken, Olives, Grilled Onions, Lemon
Eating Like The Locals
Open Fire Grill For Cooking These
Baking Bread In Outside Ovens
But one big thing missing from ALL restaurants in Morocco is beer or alcohol, because Muslims in Morocco DO NOT DRINK. Something we have noticed is that men typically sit around roadside bars and cafes drinking mint tea or coffee. The tea is served in little silver teapots and poured into small, clear glasses.
Old Portuguese Fort
Local Swimming Hole
Men And Boys Were Jumping Off The Wall Into The Water
Blowing In The Wind
After lunch we explore the fort, watched children jumping off the wall into the water below and mingled with the locals in this old town that seemed to be lost in time. Charming cobblestoned streets filled with vendors selling most everything, we seemed to be the only white faces in the crowd of Moroccans. Another day of embracing the culture, learning some history, tasting the food and enjoying ourselves in Morocco.....along the gringo trail.
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