Photo: Barman Hassan and Christina from Denmark

No Hassan No Beer

The best place in Essaouira for a late afternoon beer is "BAR" located just to the left of Chalet de la Plage Restaurant on Essaouira Beach. Bar is small but has a wonderful view of the beach and the port. The crowd is a great mix of locals and tourists with live music just before sunset. Beers are cheap as the get in Essaouira, 12 DH a pop.

The current barman's name is Hassan and his smile and character help form the great ambiance of Bar. Everyone is always in a good mood and joking. Hassan has run the bar for the last 6 years. Before him was the great Abdel Latte and before him, over 20 years ago, still know for his speed and character, the great Papillion. I still see Papillion riding his bike in town. He is quite old, but still gets around and is met by kind greetings everywhere.

My favorite Bar moment of all times came about 4 years ago when the entire crew from the movie "Kingdom of Heaven" were in town. Bar was packed and I was there with by friend Karl and we happened to have our guitars. Karl is a busker extraordinaire and can play the hits like a jukebox. I had been practicing with him so we made a great two man show.

Soon the entire bar was singing along to Bob Marley, Simon and Garfunkel, Prince, the Beatles ETC ETC. As we rocked the place got more and more crazy. People from all directions were handing us beers. Then we burst out with the Boxer, in which I use a Kazoo to play the middle lead part. The place went wild, the locals musicians had never seen such an instrument and later could not figure out how to play it. It was really funny.

Things got more and more wild until the unthinkable happened, they ran out of beer! Everyone went crazy and started shouting. To top off the most spectacular day, Karl started singing "No woman No Cry" substituting the words, "No Hassan No Beer". Soon the entire bar calmed down and sang along. It was something you had to see to believe. After that we all piled out and went to the Tru.

To this day my nick name at Bar is "Lie Le Lie," like the Chorus from the Boxer. Last week Hassan approached me, smiled and said, "Lie Le Lie, we will never forget that day."

News:

Beautiful days ahead - In the morning the wind will be light from the North and the surf should be good in Essaouira Bay near the Lighthouse. In the afternoon, the entire bay will be good for windsports.

Current Events:

The Alliance Françoise is hosting the exhibition "Le soufisme, « coeur de l'islam »" for the month of December.

For at full schedule of events at the Alliance Françoise, go to their website at:

http://www.ambafrance-ma.org/institut/afm-essaouira/index.cfm?num=948&archive...

The Alliance Françoise is located on Rue Laalouj not far from Dar Suki.

 

Upcoming Events

Basketball game December 23th. ASE is currently in last place with no points. We really need a win next Saturday. The game will be held at the stadium in the Place Moulay Hassan and tickets are 30 DH.

Gnaoua Festival 2007 - Dates have yet to be posted.

December 31st is Aïd al Addha (fete du mutton) which is one of the biggest religious celebrations of the year. Be sure to get up early and go to the Place Moulay Hassan to see the Morning Prayer.

Next Week: For Real this Time!! A review of the new chic Restaurant "Elizir" located on Main Street and Rue d'Agadir.

 

Blog Posted each Monday by Ron Bauer, see you soon!