Day 17: Wind, beach and horsies

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(Fun fact: it is freezing in Essaouira at night. I was wrapped up like a cocoon in my blanket last night.)

I have sand in places I didn’t even know one could have sand. ‘twas a tad bit windy in Essaouira today!

First things first, we had a pretty chill morning where we debated how to spend the rest of the week and such. We opted to have a few more days in Madrid which will be lovely I think 😊

We had decided today was going to be our beach day – unfortunately the weather didn’t see too keen on that. The wind was howling so bad, we could hear it inside. Didn’t stop us though – or in theory it didn’t. We headed out into the Medina for a bit first – went back to our favourite baker and loaded up on some coconut goodies.

We took the long was to the beach, going through the Port area. Holy cow there are a lot of seagulls here – well, I think they’re seagulls. Kind of scraggily looking things, but whatever they are. We also made the mistake of walking through the fish market which is basically a restaurant for every vendor and so at every single one they try and block your way to get you to eat. And they shove fresh (stinky) fish in your face to prove its freshness haha. My fave was: “LOOK! I HAVE FRESH LOBSTER! IT STILL ALIVE!” and on cue it started to thrash its tail.

We then walked along the beach. We walked and walked. It was insanely windy... like... almost knocking us over windy. We found this restaurant and bought some water so we could spend the afternoon lazing around on their patio chairs/couches. Holy it was still windy though – like... sand in every nook and cranny imaginable. I had been planning on reading but opted to listen to my iPod instead while I took in the sun. (Listened to Cabin Pressure – even better, it was the Douz episode. Ahahaha, score). I lathered on sunscreen so I got a lovely little base tan on my arms... and my legs kind of just... yeah hahaha. Still pasty white. Em wasn’t quite as lucky – we got a little red on her tummy. At least it apparently doesn’t hurt.

After the “beach” we headed back towards the Medina to do some shopping – gather up some souvenirs and such. Em practiced her bartering skills (I’m useless at it) and we had a grand ol’ time at that. Em also got some henna and it looks great! She got her name in Arabic on her arm and we were joking afterwards that we had no idea if it actually said that hahahaha. But we asked at the hostel – it is indeed correct.

Our evening was spent horseback riding along the beach – it was so beautiful!! We got picked up at our door (yay, no wandering trying to find unknown streets!) and they drove us down to Riabat, just south of the city. I sat up front (Em was in the back with two kids) – that was interesting to see them drive lol. There were lanes here, somewhat, but they still swerve around. We got there safe though – our driver was also our guide guy, he was fantastic!!

Arriving at the Ranch we were greeted by about 5 dogs – they actually had collars (were owned!) so I revelled in the fact I could pet them without fear of some disease. (The street dogs are so cute out here – they’re all low to the ground like corgis – but I obviously haven’t pet them) Anyway, there was one big dog in particular I was petting and every time I’d stop he’d paw at me – yeah, I’m a suck. There was also a sheep that kept coming over to be petted haha. Like, say what? He was nice and fluffy.

(Fun fact: sheep here have really long tails. Like a Labrador or German Shepherd. It’s weird yet cool)

Anywho! On to the horses! Me and Em got matching white Arabic stallions – oooh fancy! We got the leg guards and the helmets too... not quite as stylin’ but that’s ok. Safety safety!

Our guide took a bunch of photos for us which was fantastic. He had us riding “western style” which I haven’t done before... I guess Icelandic horses aren’t exactly meant for that lol. (Holding both reigns in right hand, left hand on the saddle). We basically got no instruction other than how to turn and stop haha, and off we went!!

It was a great, like really amazing, two hour ride that actually lasted two hours. The dogs all came with us, running along the horses. Our horses rode pretty well – Em’s stopped a few times to eat, and mine stopped to pee, but other than that they cooperated. We were told numerous times to keep our distance between all the horses because they don’t like getting close – twice we had slight issues with that lol – one time Em’s horse bit mine in the butt (not cool!) and the second time they kind of nipped at each others’ noses and my guy jumped slightly, but not enough to buck or anything.

After riding through the dunes for a bit, we came out onto the beach – really windy but we were riding with the wind so it was just stunning to look at the sand dance. Our guide was like “do you want to do fast?” Me being a silly Canadian girl I’m like SURE! (thinking he meant to trot) He said something and my horse just took off like a bullet. I was like HOLYSHITBALLSGONNADIE but once I realized what was happening I loved it haha. It was just that first 10 seconds where I had no idea what was happening.

Speaking of trotting, we did trot quite a bit which was nice. We went back over the dune and went in along there (came across a herd of goats!). He also brought us into a bunch of eucalyptus trees – he didn’t know the word so he’s like KOALA TREES haha.

It was funny about 75% way through he said something to me in French thinking I wouldn’t answer, but I did and he’s like OH VOUS PARLEZ FRANCAIS?!?! He was too excited haha. I’m like uh, yuh. The rest of the time he spoke French which was cool – it’s been quite nice here, speaking French... definitely makes things a lot easier.

And that was that! Amazing time on ze beach.

For supper we went back to the same place as last night – I got the chicken tagine.... which came with only olives. For those of you that don’t know – I hate olives, so that was kind of a bummer of a surprise haha. The chicken was amazing though, and I loved the spices. I have to admit... even the olives tasted... ok. I ate a bunch of them lol. Em had an amazing soup – nom nom nom. Food here really is great.

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Comments

[Irene]

Riding Horsies
Do you remember riding the pony at Wonderland? You said it was "defective" because it kept sneezing the whole time! Look how far you've come - gallopping on the sand dunes of Morocco!

[jewel89]

I don't remember that at all, but I definitely just burst into giggles while sitting in my hostel bed. Look how far I've gone indeed haha