Agadir – “Bob” in Sidi Ifni is a merchant of Moroccan art, jewelry, antiques, and other accessories, and has been for most of his adult life. Originally he traveled around the weekly souks in the Guelmim-Oued Noun region, buying from local artisans and reselling to visitors.
Dealing in artifacts is an ideal lifestyle for Bob as he enjoys interacting with different people, and enjoys the pleasure of selling lovely things. Ten years ago, he settled into retail shops in Sidi Ifni. There the weather is ideal for year-round buying and reselling.
His tiny shop in the Marche Municipal (city market) overflows with jewelry and leather goods from all over Morocco and antiques and treasures brought from abroad over the decades. Bob has three little but comfortable chairs smartly tucked under the displays so that he is always ready to host a tea and chat with visitors.
For the last two years, Bob has had only a handful of customers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Typically, “snowbirds” from Europe travel to Sidi Ifni in the winter for the fair climate. Many of the shuttered homes in town are owned by French families who have not been able to return.
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Moroccans from the north of the country are also frequent tourists who, locals speculate, are not traveling because of the vaccination requirements. Some elderly people want to remain unvaccinated, making it hard for families to travel together.
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Though the closest airport is nearly three hours away in Agadir, there are also usually plentiful visiting caravaners, either retirees or young people looking for surfing and adventures.
Along the winding drive to Sidi Ifni, there are several areas of road under construction as part of the MAD 17 million ($1.8 million) budget for infrastructure work related to the Sidi Ifni-Tiznit road project. In mid-February few cars are on the road, none are caravans.
Caption: Quiet days in Central Market of Sidi Ifni
Like all of the merchants in the Marche Municipal souk, there was no emergency funding to help them during this financial crisis.
Bob is thankful that his family has pulled together during these difficult times. He is also thankful that the borders are currently open.
On a pleasant day in February 2022, Bob hangs enticing items on the doors and windows of his shop. He sits with a cup of tea, waiting for treasure hunters to happen upon his lovingly curated collection.
Read also: Morocco Commemorates 51st Anniversary of Recovery of Sidi Ifni
