The three pics below are of us on the way to the train station in Marrakesh to catch the train to Fez.
An interesting stop sign at one of the many gates to the city.
I made the mistake of taking a peek at this snake charmer on the main square in Marrakesh. Once I looked, he wouldn't leace us alone. We got some pics, but at a price of course. When he played his magic flute thing, the snake actually did dance around. I was surprised this actually worked.
The train to Fes was seven hours long. It went up to the coast, through Rabat and Casablanca, and then back inland to Fes. It was hot in the train but there was lots of room in the compartment. At least, most of the time. A huge group of Moroccan ladies came on the train about halfway through. They took up every inch of space I had. I was squished! Anyway, we eventually made it to Fes late at night.
Fes is supposedly the best preserved Arabic medieval city in the world. It was pretty cool. We woke up and navigated our way through the labyrinth of alleyways that were often clogged with donkeys, carts, cats, and people. We were looking for one of the coolest sights in Fes, the tanneries where they dye leather. Maps were almost useless so we followed our noses to one of the leather shops that had a terrace overlooking the tanneries. The view was really interesting. There were dozens of pits filled with multicolored liquids. Workers were adding and removing skins, loading them onto donkeys, and laying them on roofs to be dried. It was awesome (and so was the smell).
The entrance to a pretty fancy building. I think it was a Medersa. There were suprises down all of the alleyways here.
We took the cheapest taxi ride in the world to the top of one of the many hills overlooking Fes. Looking down we saw a cemetery.
At the top of the hill was a ruined memorial to one of the medieval rulers of Fes. There were fantastic views of the old city from here.
We walked down to the city walls (there were several rings of them and it was quite confusing).
We walked through the confusing streets to find some lunch. We found a severed camel head instead. I accidentally hit it with my head. YUCK! Its tongue was hanging out.
After walking around a lunch break was welcomed. We ate on the roof of a restaurant popular with ex-pats. My dad and I both ordered camel meat burgers. It tasted like very tender beef. Another exotic meat I can add to my list.
Another beautiful Medersa and about the only picture with both of us in it.
Some of the old city gates.
More Moroccan food and mint tea for dinner.
After getting back to the hotel, we looked at the amazing view of the Medina (old town) from its roof.
This is the entrance to the palace of the King of Morocco.
We went to a ceramic factory. This shows a guy mixing around the clay mud. What a job!
Where they dried the ceramic tiles.
A dozen craftsmen in a hot room painting pottery.
The great view from an old French fort on top of a hill in Fes.
Our final meal in Morocco. Of course we are drinking mint tea.
In the lobby at our hotel, a riad, before checking out.
Couscous, of course.
The trip to Morocco was pretty awesome. It was a very different experience than my usual travels are here in Europe. It reminded me a lot of Indonesia; the call to prayer, the smell, the motorcycles, and the poverty. I would love to go back there again some time.
