Time Traveling in Morocco

The Medina of Fez is a UNESCO World Heritage site and

one of the most amazing places I have ever seen.

It really must be experienced to be believed.  The word medina simply means city.

But, there is nothing simple about Fès-al-Bali, the largest of the two medinas in Fès.

 If you've ever wanted to time travel, this is the place.

The walled city dates back to the 9th century and is one of the best preserved old cities in all of the world.

Again, the word juxtapostion comes to my mind.

The modern and the medieval all combine in a maze of bustling life.

More than 150,000 people live, work, eat, and shop amongst these narrow, winding streets.

It's also the home to many animals, some for transport, some as pets and some for dinner.

Many of the streets are lined with small shops and handicrafts.

It's a great place to shop and practice your haggling skills.

You never know what you might spot among the treasures.

We spent many hours walking through the maze of narrow streets.

It's said to be the largest car free urban area in the world.

We had few guides that helped us find our way.

We walked through at a slow pace because there was so much to see.

I relaxed into taking photos but was really able to put the camera down and just take it all in.

We were often hustled over to the side so that a pack mule or donkey could pass by safely.

Again, I find myself at a loss for words.

I addressed this before when writing about a trip to Paris.

The experience of travel includes seeing things that aren't all shiny and lovely.

Every place has sights that make you sad or are hard to see.

But, I wouldn't take anything for those experiences.

In spite of some of these things, the Medina is one of the most beautiful places I've seen.

Not like the ice-capped mountains of Austria, or the green fields of Ireland.

Not always "pretty" in a visual sense, although it's certainly visually mesmerizing.

It's beautiful in that it's so very full of life. It's just bursting with it.

And sometimes usually, life is messy.  It's not always sterile and structured.

But, it's certainly no less beautiful.

After my post about Tangier, several of you asked me

"Yes, but did you like Morocco?  Would you recommend it?"

The short answer is "Yes! Absolutely."

I'm still working out the long answer to the question and still struggling to find the words.

But, when I look at these photos, I want more than anything to be walking the

exotic streets of Fès al Bali.


Here are some of the notes I scribbled while we were in the Medina.

 Pathways feel like tunnels.  But not claustrophobic.
Butcher shop.  Seafood Shop.  Sound of scissors snipping at fish.
Cats wait patiently for scraps.  Ripe, beautiful fruit.
Children's school.  Their voices singing.  Shoes on the wall outside.

Happy, healthy children.  Lots of animals.
Trash in the streets.  Dead Kitten.  Friendly faces.
 Eager questions in English. "You German?"  "French?" "English?"
Always smile in surprise when I say "American."

Smiling toddlers in a donkey cart.  Ponies loaded with boxes.
Children taking loaves of bread from the local kilns.
Not all faces are friendly.

Communal wash areas.  Few dogs.
Chicken dunked into boiling water and plucked in minutes.
Little girl walking by with bread on her head smiles at me.



Have you ever gotten lost in the beauty of a Medina?

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Sunday Currently and Afternoon Tea

Feeling:

Relieved.  Doc says I'm fine.  After all of the worrying, I'm just a bit low on some key vitamins (D.  Shocker.) and minerals.  And obviously well into the hormonal rollercoaster that is approaching Fabulous Fifty.

Antsy.  It feels like it's been forever since we've traveled.  I'm counting down the days until Iceland.   I've been reading so many blog post and they all have raved about it.  I can not wait!

Excited.  I'm certainly no professional photographer, but I've been offered a small paying gig.  They've seen my photos and feel confident that I'll be able to give them what they want.  Wish me luck.

Hopeful.  I'm still looking for the perfect part-time accounting job.  I love accounting and a part time job would be perfect.  It would allow me to continue with the blogging and have a bit of extra income. 

Happy.  I've had some really fun and exciting opportunities come along lately because of this blog.  It's brought me some of the most amazing friends and more.  I love the connections. 

Speaking of connections...

It's time for our next London Bloggers Afternoon Tea.

We had so much fun at our last tea, that we had to get another one on the calendar.

If you're a blogger and are in London on this date, please join us.

Emma and Kelly hooked me up with of one of the snazziest teas in London.

Sunday, February 16th at 2pm

The Royal Horseguards Guoman Hotel

£30 per person includes Tea, Champagne and gratuity

This is a chance to meet and socialize with some of the most wonderful people.

(At a Five Star London hotel right on the Thames.  Just sayin'.)

 Please email me at Selena_Jones@me.com if you'd like to join us.

Thank you so much to everyone who reads my "words & stuff".

If you're a regular reader, but haven't commented yet, I'd love to hear from you.

Will you be joining us for Afternoon Tea? 

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Fès, Morocco

Fès was everything that I dreamed Marrakesh would be.

I'll tell you more about what I mean in a future post,

but Fès was the next stop on our tour of Morocco.

Fès was where I started to relax and really look around me.

It's where I took the most photographs.

I didn't know it yet, but Fès turned out to be my favorite city in Morocco.

We were there for two nights and had some time to really explore the city.

And what a city!  Once the capital, it's the cultural, educational and religious capital of the country.

The third largest city in Morocco is also home to the oldest university in the world.

Here are some photos to give you an overview of the city with more to come next week.

We toured Morocco by train and this was one of the most impressive stations.

We stopped outside of the Royal Palace.  There was some confusion as to if we could take photos or not.

One of our group approached the guards a little too eagerly with a camera and was reprimanded.

We went up to the Borj Nord for the most spectacular views of this massive city

that is home to a million people.  It was once two cities that merged.

It is also home to one of the most well-preserved old cities in the modern world.

We had dinner one night complete with traditional entertainment.

We sat on pillowed couches as tray after tray of wonderful food was brought out.

The best part was making our way back to the hotel on foot through the maze of alleys,

our bellies and senses full of Morocco. 

The Bab Bou Jeloud (Blue Gate) is one of the four gates of the walled old city.

One side is blue and the other is green.

The Bou Inania Madrasa is one of the few religious places in Morocco that are open to 

non-Islamic visitors.  It's both a religious institute and a local mosque and is the only madrasa (school) in Fès with a Minaret.

I can't wait to show you more photos next week. 

It was so hard to narrow them down.  Fès is a city that needs several posts.

 

Writing that first post about Morocco, while difficult, was really helpful. 

As always, your comments helped, too.

It's nice to know that you understand what I'm feeling.

I think it will get easier as I go along.  I have so many more posts about Morocco planned.

It seems I have more to say than I thought. And I just have to show you the photographs!

What do you think of Fès?

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