So today is my last day in Essaouira – the coolest little beach town in Morocco. Granted, I have only been 2 places so far in this beautiful country, but it is unbelievable here. I would love to come back here and vacation – its got phenomenal beaches, awesome music, and amazing fresh seafood.
My dad posed some interesting questions, so I thought I would enlighten them as best I can.
My photography is going well. Its the 2nd week and I have roughly 4 thousand photos in lightroom. Its not like I will have 4000 selects though – I have not edited at all, its just a rough count.
got to love the motor drive mode on automatic camerasThe process of shooting here has been simultaneously exciting and extremely stressful. The process of adapting to a foreign culture, and then sticking a big camera in its face is a true challenge. Its not such a big deal if you are evidently taking the standard tourist shots, but if you are trying to go beyond that, as I am – its very very challenging. Im not sure if its because of a North African culture, or due to the majority of the people being Muslim, but the Moroccan people are extremely shy. I have not been able to take a portrait of anyone yet. ANYONE. Sure I have shot from the hip, so to speak, and gotten street scenes, and such, but I have been turned down every time I have requested to take a portrait. I am doing my best to ask when I can, because images that I attempt to take on the sly are never worth anything. Its very hard to navigate this section of my photography. It makes me respect the pros that do this, and do it over and over again, even more.
So in effect, my photography fluctuates between moments of pure joy, and moments where I doubt I have the knowledge to turn the camera on. Its a roller coaster.
Other than that – The attitude of the Moroccan people is very very friendly. Its part hospitality, and part they are amazing salespeople. I get stopped about every 10 meters when I’m walking around photographing by someone who wants to know where I am from, if I am working for the Geographic (I wish), and how I like Morocco. It all ends up leading to a shop I should go to – if I can just come look for a second, the usual stuff. I don’t hold it against them for a second. Everyone has to make a living. The hospitality and friendliness is very genuine, and taken at face value, makes the majority of Moroccans wonderful people.
Their daily habits consist of tending to their shops, visiting the mosque (there are numerous among the Medina walls) and gathering up food items for dinner. There are an amazing variety and amount of food shops – meaning fruits, vegetables, and butchers, not shrink wrapped potato chips.
Ill write more in future posts, I am shy to make big generalizations, as I have only visited 2 towns so far, but I will continue to share observations as I make them.
Some photos from today:
And I’ll probably end up like this guy:
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