September 29 Fes Morocco

I took it easy this morning. Did some arranging for getting to desert and a bought a bus ticket. Not that I really want an overnight bus, but they assure me that it is comfortable. This seems to be the only way other than paying a fortune to have a private driver.

I wanted to see the Bou Inania Medrassa, a school. I stopped at one place and asked a guy at the door if this was the medrassa, he said yes.

So I went in, but there were sounds of a kids playground. Yes it was a medrassa, a school, a real school. So asked a lady inside where to go for the right medrassa. She sent me off in the right direction. This was very nice, with a large court yard and the usual rooms around the outside. It is still an active mosque. You are only allowed in the main court yard and 1 of the rooms. The wood work on the roof and the huge doors is amazing, as is the all the tile work.

I stopped for lunch and then I headed off to see one of the gates recommended by a couple I spoke to at the map yesterday. But I turned to soon, got lost, but then found! The usual story. I ended up at Place Rcif, which I wanted to see anyway. It has a gate as well. I will try again to find the other gate. It took me about 1 hour to get there but a good walk, only about 30 minutes coming back and that includes going by the same shop a few times, yes going in circles. So easy to do in the medina!

I think maybe it is better to just wander as it seems I find places anyway. On the way back I wanted to check out the water clock. It was shown on the travel agent's tv. So I had googled it , and found that is was right across the street from the medrassa, the right one. So stopped by. Apparently, brass bowls were hung in the windows that would chime when it was time for prayers. The wood was something but did not see any brass bowls. And I did find this one right away!

Then off for coffee. Very relaxing.

Thunderstorm hit late in afternoon with some rain. It smells great and has cooled everything right down. It was cool this morning as well.

Went out for dinner to a roof top terrace near the Bab Boujloud. Great views but they had the plastic sheets down to keep the wind and rain out. Still very nice. The bonus was that there were 5 guys there having a bit of a jam session. Free live entertainment! I got a bit of a smile and a thank you when I clapped! They were actually pretty good, even if I did not understand the words or know the music.


September 28 Fes Morocco

I caught the 11.30 train to Fes. It was an easy 25 minute walk to station, this time the main station. The trip was only about 30 minutes, and this time there was one other guy in the car, and in the same compartment. Turns out he is a university student studying marketing. His English was very gs he has studied it in school, university and also privately by my understanding.

Taxi to hotel as it was too far to walk. The hotel is just on the edge of the medina! Too much shopping in small very narrow street with shops that have stuff flowing over into the street. Amazing. A shopper's paradise! But that is not me. Good thing most of them understand 'no shopping'!

Stopped by a travel company but they only have private tours or will arrange for a group of people. Too expensive on my own to get to desert. But they and of course the hotel will arrange by public bus.

hotel in Fes

I found the Bab Boujoud (Blue Gate) and a map at the same time. Seems there are not any other maps around! A nice Moroccan couple helped out. There is coloured routes that you can take cultural, shopping or gardens, just follow the coloured signs. Found a few signs but I think some of them are above the awnings put up by the shop keepers. It was raining today so maybe easier tomorrow. Even without shopping the medina is a fascinating place. One kid talked to me for a bit, and assured me he was just helping, no money! I guess that is the way many operate.

This guy was actually surfing on the roof for a bit.

Walked towards the Borj Nord, for a good look out over the medina but on the way met a couple from Poland that had just arrived. They had just finished a driving tour and said the country is amazing. The people are very friendly which is what I am finding. I got lost along the way so I stopped at a small shop, he did not know the way but went and asked an older guy, who pointed me in the right direction. Just one example of the people. IT was a nice view.

Had dinner at a little place just down the street. Apparently family owned and run. Brothers coax people in and wait tables, mother and sister cook and father cooks and fetches food needed. Excellent meal. Kebab (really meatballs) in a tomato sauce cooked in a tagine. But of course you get great bread and olives to start.

Off for a short walk through another part of medina, but being very careful not to get lost, it is easy to do. I ended up following a horse and cart up the narrow street. The guy was collecting all the green garbage from the various shops.

Enough for 1 day!