Jamie has been wanting to come to Garage Iriki since he heard about it. It's famous for servicing Land Rovers that go out on desert trips and there were a few things he wanted to get done that he didn't have the tools for.
Hassan, who we think was their social media and hustler guy, had already found us on Instagram via hashtags. It's quite common for businesses to find potential customers this way. He was super friendly and we exchanged stickers. He also gave me a Berber necklace with black beads and the hand of Fatima. I'm not sure what he got out of the deal, maybe a finders fee.
Butters got a heap of work done, such as the wheel bearings tightened and new seal on the transfer case to stop her leaking. It was about two days work for 70 Euro. A bargain.
We stayed at a hotel just up the road. Not the best, but convenient.
Most of the time we sat at a cafe across the road. It was like a YouTube video in real life. Lots of expedition vehicles coming in to get work done, Land Rovers, vans, you name it. Those mechanics work til late and really know what they are doing!
I drank a lot of fresh orange juice and espresso watching. I've discovered how amazing OJ is in Morocco ... fresh and undiluted!
The cafe owner was a cook but had been sacked from a hotel who had shut down. A french guy at the garage was talking to him and suggested he open shop across from the garage to get business and he has been open for ten years and doing well. He certainly did a good salad Moroccaine.
We did make the unequivocal decision not to go to the desert because of the heat wave. I had also just started my first cold in four years so didn't think I could handle the heat.
To be honest we didn't see much of Zagora itself but felt that the most important thing anyways was getting Butters sorted and Garage Iriki certainly came through!
With Love,
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