Fes
Trip Start
Jan 24, 2008
1
6
Trip End
Jan 29, 2008
Fes, Morocco
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Today we start the morning by exploring the vicinity of Royal Palace on SW of Fes el Bali. The palace itself is closed to public, but has a fabulous main gate near Place des Alaouites. In order to get as far as that, one has to pass a five-gate square of Petit Mechouar and then take some more streets, which are nice to stroll in as well. The first part of the main street there serves as a textile souk, while the latter leading through mellah (jewish quarter) is filled with jewelries. After taking a photo with a policeman, having some relaxing moments in a park and strolling some more off the beaten path streets we head back to follow the marked paths in the medina.
Next stop is called Medersa of Bou Inania [10dh, sometimes closed due to prayers]. Although similar to previous ones, it's really worth seeing. This time, the central pool is of circle shape. Unfortunately, student's chambers are off limits for tourists. We still have some 2.5 hours before we have to leave the city, so let's do a free-stroll programme;). One of our random targets is Fondouk Nejjarine, a wood museum [not really worth seeing] with a nice view from the its roof. Also, Karolina finally succeeds in buying a belly-dance suit for her friend, congrats;)! By the way, this was the only shop in Morocco, where there were fixed prices...beware [well, he pulled down 50dh in the end anyway;)].
Nevertheless, time is running out and so we withdraw our backpacks from the hostel and walk to the bus stop. While trying to find some info about the buses, I meet some Moroccans who don't speak any French - so they really do exist;). Unfortunately, there is no bus comming for unpleasantly long time and therefore we are happy to accept an offer of some enterprising Moroccans to take us to the airport for 100dh in a old minibus. And guess what, there we really are! The airport hall looks really small, but it's neat. A last time to have a relaxing moment outside and after a short time the aircraft takes off and our fairytale ends.
Anyway, Morocco is a country rich of things to see and surely deserves another visit. See ya there;).
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Advice:
- French is not required, but it is certainly a good thing to know! Mainly because the people you really need to speak to are only francofons;).
- Sleeping bag is useful (hygiene, no heating in the winter anywhere)
- There are people who can really show you some things. Giving a tip is a politeness.
- Have some small money [sweets for children] ready for beggars or for people you shot. Or if one is thrifty, it's good to have a ultrazoom camera;).
- When driving you should count about 50-60kmh in the mountains, while in the deserts it's possible to go 120kmh for sure.
- Arabic girls have nice eyes and Moroccan food is good;).
