Browsing the exotic markets, bazaars and souks of the world it’s easy for the imagination to go wild in these alien environments. The stalls are often filled with unfamiliar items, especially the weird and wonderful fruit and vegetables often displayed. Colourful and oddly shaped they could easily be straight off the set of a science [...]
Tag Archives: Souq
The Joy of Souks
Browsing souqs (souks) whether in Morocco, Egypt or in Oman is always a fascinating experience. They are entirely different from western markets, hives of activity where haggling is usually not only encouraged but expected. Often bustling, especially in popular tourist destinations where visiting a souq is one of the one of the highlights of the [...]
Postcard from a Gnawa jam in Essaouira medina
Gnawa (Gnaoua) is a traditional form of music popular in sub-saharan Africa particularly amongst the Berber people of Morocco. It is still performed today and the instruments are sold on stalls in the medina. It is believed to have originally been spread by black slaves within the region and was often performed as part of [...]
Essaouira, Morocco – Making a good first impression
Last year when I visited Morocco a number of people informed me they were taking an excursion to Essaouira. This included two pretty young Norwegian girls in my Riad; they were gushing compliments when they returned, leaving me with a burning desire to visit. On that occasion unfortunately there was not sufficient time to squeeze [...]
Postcard from the ‘Blue City’ Essaouira, Morocco
Just a few minutes spent wandering around the medina or port area of Essaouira and it maybe considered another unofficial ‘Blue City’. Doors, shutters, the fishing fleet in the harbour and even the base of trees are painted in a vibrant blue which appears a little quaint but also very striking. The small boats in [...]
Postcard from a humble Omani fisherman
Capturing portraits of the people of a destination is one of my favourite pastimes and looking back through them later always provides a few smiles. This image of an Omani fisherman in Seeb that appears deep in contemplation is one of my favourite portraits of all. Sat on the beach repairing his nets, he agreed to [...]
Postcard from a Seeb shoe shop, Oman
This is a traditional shoe maker and repairer in the small fishing village of Seeb near Muscat, Oman. He does not appear to actually have a stall just a small corner of the souk, where he sets up his very basic equipment. This seems to consist of a small hammer, glues, tacks and a crude [...]
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