ESSAOUIRA BEACH
Just outside the Medina fort area with its narrow lanes is the wide crescent mile long Essaouira beach which is washed clean each day as the tide comes in and out. On Saturday the beach was filled with Moroccan families as well as European tourists. At least 75% of the beach goers were Moroccan with the ladies barefoot in their long billowing dresses and hijabs covering their hair. The water was pleasantly cool and there were a few swimmers. At the far end of the mile Long Beach were a number of surfboarders in wet suits not having much luck in riding a wave. Children played in the sand, men practiced their soccer skills, and there was even a tea seller offering a sweet spicy tea in little plastic cups at five dirhan (50 cents) apiece.
BILLYBABA’S WANDERING 