Fez

We were able to sleep in this morning as our bus did not depart until 8 a.m. for a tour of Fez.  We made a brief stop at the entrance to the royal palace before heading to the Fes El Bali Medina.  Because the royal family was in Rabat, we were able to get a close up view of the seven decorative doors to the palace.  Fez was the capitol of Morocco for 400 years.  We spent the morning in the Fes el Bali Medina which is the oldest walled part of Fez.  Here we wandered the narrow, maze of walkways viewing the many workshops and vendors wares for sale.  We had a local guide once again who was raised and lives in the medina.  His intimate knowledge of the passageways through this vast community were essential to our not getting lost and being able to see many of the important sites located within the medina walls.

Seven Doors to the Royal Palace in Fez

During the Spanish Inquisition, thousands of Jews from Spain immigrated to Fez.  One of the oldest Jewish cemeteries is inside the medina.  It is very large and extremely well maintained.

Jewish Cemetery - Fes el Bali

The walkways of the medina are narrow, irregular and run in all directions.  As a result, it is extremely easy to get misoriented.  Many of the passageways lead to dead ends.  Doors along the way open to workshops or stalls where the essentials of daily living can be purchased.  Many artisans and craftsmen produce goods in the medina working as they did for hundreds of years.  The narrow streets make it impossible for motorized vehicles to drive through the medina.  Therefore, donkeys, push carts and porters move goods around the medina.  You have to be watchful, so you aren't run over by a donkey or pushcart.  The other obstacle is negotiating your way past all the young men hawking leather goods, jewelry, scarves, or whatever to the many tourists passing through.

No Cars or Trucks in the Medina - Donkeys and Pushcarts Haul Goods Around

The Hanging Head of a Camel Means Fresh Camel Meat Here

The camel's hide is sent to the tanners.  The bones are sent to be used in making useful and decorative objects.  Of course, the meat is eaten.  Nothing of the camel goes to waste in the medina.

Making Filo Dough

Fresh Fish

Fresh Chicken - Pick One for Dinner

Wool and Fabric Dyers

Making Pots and Pans

Carpets For Sale

Tanners at Work

Leathergoods For Sale

The Fes el Bali Medina is also the home of the oldest university, Al Karaouine which was established in 859 CE.  Another significant center of learning was the Attarine Madrasa which was founded in 1323.  It is an exquisitely decorated structure near the perfume and spice market.  This madrasa is renown for its superb tile work and exceptionally intelligent students.

Zellig - Glazed Tile

We ate well throughout the day.  Continental breakfast at the hotel.  Lunch in beautiful surroundings with musical accompaniment.  Dinner at a local family's home where we shared good food and engaged in polite, mutually educational conversation with our hosts and fellow travelers.

Dinner with a Local Family