Once, I was walking along a dark street in East Village to pick up the metro to go home. The severe wind was cutting my cheeks and my freezing hands were trying to fit in my pockets. All of a sudden, my eye was attracted by a small window lit in red, green, orange, and blue lights. I entered in and fund myself in a Moroccan souk full of traditional clothes, flowery carpets, bright and colorful fabrics, household items, and whatnot. Despite the riot of colors, it was quiet and calm. I was the person there except for a tall old man with grey hair and big glasses. He looked like a Santa who has just arrived from a long journey around the Globe distributing presents.
He turned out to be a talkative person. I was so deeply into the ambiance of the shop because it reminded me of my own trip to Morocco and all those adventures I had. However, the sales assistant returned me back to reality. We plunged into a small talk that eventually ended up a long conversation about traveling and indeed New York. He granted me with a list of must-visit places in East Village. I can’t recollect how exactly, but we touched upon chocolate. He recommended me to peep into a local chocolatier who according to him makes one of the best chocolate.
After I left the Moroccan souk, I found myself again on the streets of cold and windy ravaging East Village. The idea to visit the chocolatier was luring me into a new discovery… So, I did.
The chocolate shop was so tiny that hardly 3 persons could fit in. This is why there were a few tables outside at the terrace. As soon as I entered, the owner himself greeted me and the first question he asked was “Where are you from?” He was way too sociable and gregarious. However, it was interesting to find out that he was …
To be continued
The Local Guides is the opportunity to share the stories that happen to me along my way, along with my adventures in different corners of the World.