Vilostrada

1 week ago

By sunset the herd of goats return to the Nomad settlement for shelter for the night. The baby goats reunite with their mamas. The bread is in the making over fire oven, tagine or gamila sizzling on the gas or charcoal. We sit around the fire and share a tea. Life slows down. Together under the starlit sky. Peace.
Ramadan Mubarak dear friends and enjoy the festivities coming this week.

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Vilostrada

1 week ago

I asked my talented daughter Maj to interpret into art ”Live to Love the Road”.
What is your definition, thoughts on the sentence? I need your input for the book with the same title.

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Vilostrada is in Frigiliana.

2 weeks ago

The road ahead demands change. This is my definition. What is yours?

Change is looking for the road forward. To change is to follow that road and allow whatever happens to take place. To meet all new challenges with a smile and open mind, knowing that first impression is not always the correct one and most likely spent from an emotional version that may not reflect the reality. Change is powerful and keeps us and me alive. I thrive in this environment and see it as an adventure. This time, change came where I never in a million years would have seen it coming. Change, right now, kicked me in the stomach hard and floored me. My willingness to survive made me realize that the only way change and I will be good friends again is if we collaborate. So let us do this. Together, we are stronger.
Live to Love the Road.

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Vilostrada is in Frigiliana.

4 weeks ago

My love affair with Morocco began as a dream deep within my heart to be in a world where I could be me. My dreams and curiosity pulled me to head off to world adventure and finding new paths to follow behind each corner. Never really resting, always wanting to know what else there would be to discover. All ready at age 7, I have my earliest memory of wanting to be an world explorer, a journalist bringing the tales from near and far. At age 14, I ventured to a summer camp in England for three weeks of adventure. Here I am with my son all ready 15 and my daughter soon 12. The world is locked at the moment, but soon they will define their own dreams and set sail. I can only say. Live to Love the Road.

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Vilostrada

1 month ago

Jane Folliett, admin of Essaouira facebook group explains Ramadan for us:
”Many of you who have lived here for some time will know what Ramadan is all about. But as we have some visitors who may be here during Ramadan for the first time, I thought I would share some general information.

RAMADAN INFORMATION

What, when and how?

Ramadan is the month of fasting, and an important part of the Islamic religion as it is the month in which the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohamed. Islam has five important pillars which all Muslims should follow. Fasting is the fourth pillar of Islam. This teaches patience and is a way to experience what it is like to be hungry and to empathise with the less fortunate. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, devotion to God and self-control.

Each year Ramadan starts on a different date due to the Islamic lunar calendar which is 11 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar that we use. Ramadan begins in the ninth month of the Islamic Lunar calendar however the actual start is based on a combination of physical sightings of the crescent moon and astronomical reports.

During Ramadan, physically mature and healthy Muslims do not eat, drink or smoke between sunrise and sunset - nothing should pass the lips (not even water). They are also required to curb sexual contact and all negative emotions like anger, and to prove themselves to be a good Muslim.

Muslims get up before sunrise for a quick breakfast (known as Suhoor) and prayer. The sunset is marked with a call to prayer from mosques, and in larger cities there may also be a cannon fire or siren that sounds to indicate the fast is broken for the day. After sunset it’s customary for family and friends to eat together to break the fast, known as Ftour or Iftar. This meal typically consists of Moroccan breads, pancakes, dates, milk, Moroccan sweets (such as Chebakia or Sellou), eggs, bessara (fava bean soup) or harira (vegetable and lentil soup), along with tea and coffee. Other foods such as sweet and savoury pastries and stuffed fish may also be served, depending on the region.

As a non-Muslim, do I have to participate in Ramadan?

No, of course this isn’t expected of you. But you should be aware that Ramadan is a special month and be respectful of local and religious customs. It is for example much appreciated if you do not smoke, drink or eat on the street/in public. Even when you see other foreigners doing that think about how it comes across and determine for yourself what you think is appropriate. You should dress more conservatively, especially women. And obvious signs of affection in public, such as kissing, should be avoided.

Have patience!

How do you feel after a day of having eaten just a little bit or nothing? You move at a slower pace and might even be a bit irritable. Someone who partakes in Ramadan experiences this as well, but due to their practice and their convictions they are (usually) able to cope with this in a good way. But you may need to have a bit more patience than usual.

Alcohol during Ramadan

Even during Ramadan non-Muslim foreigners can enjoy an alcoholic beverage in a hotel, bar or restaurant (where this is served), or in the current times at home! Shops selling take-home alcohol are often closed all-together during Ramadan. It is prohibited by law for Moroccans to buy and consume alcohol during Ramadan, so we ask that you be discreet and not over-indulge yourselves.

Ramadan Mubarak Saeed!”

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