Gloves, Burgers, and Unexxpected Joy

Finding delight in more little things. Morocco . Letter #18

Dear Ageless Wanderer,

I'll just come out and say it: Agadir didn't stir up the same vibes as Essaouira. That doesn't mean it lacked beauty or charm. It just had a different flavor.

Some things defy explanation.

Agadir seems to be a launch point for many regional tours, so Stella and I landed here to meet our guide.

But our excitement was muted.

Our apartment was within walking distance from the marina, just across four lanes of traffic. We've tackled worse roads. Unlike in the US, pedestrians don't have the right of way in many countries. You have to grow wings and fly like an eagle. Around here, pedestrians don't stand a chance. The cars are kings, and we're the prey.

Once across, we were rewarded with a wide, empty boardwalk and a dazzling view of the harbor, marina, and the setting sun. The air was cool, but the sun warmed us enough.

It was time to eat.

There were plenty of restaurant options. I claim a natural radar for good food, while Stella says I'm just super picky. Either way, we usually win unless hunger makes us stupid.

Stella locked onto burgers the moment we saw a small place at the end of the walkway: Frank's Burgers.

Tables outside, umbrellas, unassuming. We sat down under a big umbrella and ordered water. Water’s not especially thrilling, but that's how we roll unless exotic drinks like lemon-honey-ginger or mint tea exist. Frank's offered just the usual sodas, which we skipped.

When the wind kicked up, we dashed inside to the only available table. The whole wall behind us was plastered with license plates from various European countries and Morocco. I was happy to see a few from the US: Colorado and Route 66.

We’re both allergic to wheat, so we ordered a burger, planning to ditch the bun and use a fork. There was a good range of sauces, but we both landed on Frank's Original with fries.

Then came the twist: the waiter delivered our water and two pairs of plastic gloves, no utensils.

Now, it was getting intriguing.

I smiled, remembering one of our travel philosophies: welcome the unknown with a wide grin and an open heart.

Then came the plates: big burgers, open-faced, piled with tomato, lettuce, onions, and drenched in sauce. The gloves made sense. And the mess? Spectacular.

Eating was tricky, sensual, and absurd. We laughed like kids.

The burgers? Damn good.

We ended the meal with ice cream, our not-so-secret addiction, to celebrate our accidental delight. We strolled back along the boardwalk, full, giddy, and dreamy.

Along the way, we met an elderly couple from Ireland. They were traveling and enjoying life. We bonded quickly. The husband was writing a book about his country.

Then came a long talk with some Brits who wanted our thoughts on Trump.  That escalated, though not in a bad way. People were genuinely curious about what Americans were thinking. Another one of our core travel beliefs proved true: connect with fellow wanderers.

Agadir didn't start off with magic, but it reminded us to show up, be present, connect, ask nothing, and you might just get everything in return.

XXOO,

Lucille

PS Also, take a moment, be present, and make a connection.