Fez

After two days in Rabat, we are our way to Fez.   It's about a four-hour drive but we stopped at a small town along the way.  Now we are seeing the beautiful Moroccan countryside, populated with olive trees.  At the town of El Khemisset, we stopped to stretch our legs and have a cup of coffee.  Our guide took us to a nearby open-air market where all kinds of produce are sold.

Live Chicken Being Sold

A Wide Variety of Produce

Fava Beans

These are used as toothpicks

We have to get off the bus and enter the wall city of Fez.  This is an exciting place as we hear the sounds and smell of the city.  We walked through winding narrow streets and arrived at our Riad.  Riads are traditional Moroccan home that has been converted into a hotel.  It walls has intricate handmade tile work.  The Hotel Riad Salam where we stayed has only 20 rooms but has a big team of staff taking care of the guests.  

One of the courtyards

Another part of the courtyard

The Lobby

In the morning we started our tour of Fez, starting with the Medina.  Our tour leader, with a local guide, took us through narrow streets where all kinds of goods and food are made and sold.  It is literally a city within a city, full of life and character.

A Synagogue.  Many Jewish residents have left for Israel

Selling Water - a dying trade

A narrow street

A Tailor

Moroccan Pastries

Shop Selling Brassware

Enjoying dinner with a local family

A Tannery

We were given the option of visiting an old Roman ruin near Fez called Volubilis.  The ruins are relatively well preserved, considering how old they are.  We spent about 3 hours with a local guide who explained some of the structures.  

We also stopped at the ancient city of Mekness and took a tour of the historic mausoleum that was built for the 17th century Sultan Moulay Ismail.  The mausoleum features some of the beautiful and intricate mosaic telework. 

We also visited the Museum of Music, showing some of the musical instruments used during that period.

The medina in Fez is very interesting with its narrow streets and variety of businesses.  It reflects on the tradition and history of Morocco.