This year I’m spending Christmas in Morocco. Essaouira to be exact. You see, during summer break I decided I was tired of airport travel and with all that is going on in the world I couldn’t bear the thought of having to take off my shoes, belt, coat and unpack my camera, MacBook, Samsung Galaxy and any liquids I may be travelling with via Paris and Toronto. Add to that the polar vortex and blizzards that have been recent annual recurrences at the “cottage” (my parents’ home in southwestern Ontario) and I decided to stay put.

So I’m here in Essaouira.

Sipping coffees in the morning sunlight. Nibbling chocolate from the local chocolate shop. Enjoying local wines as the sunsets. Admiring the sunrise. Watching fashion film after fashion film on Netflix. It’s the perfect holiday.

It’s far away from the holiday hustle and bustle that is the West (and is quickly creeping in to Marrakech culture with the addition of a mall in the city centre and a Starbucks serving holiday drinks), but I’m content.

In fact I feel quite blessed as I was able to celebrate both Christian and Muslim holidays this year. I returned from Canada early to celebrate Ramadan and enjoy delicious ftours with friends as the sun set on another day of fasting. I enjoyed the Eid al Fitr festivities (without having to eat lamb) in Moulay Idriss Zerhoune with some of my best friends. And now I get to celebrate Christmas in this most beautiful country.

Wherever and however you may be celebrating, have a happy Christmas dear readers.

xx Mandy