Exploring the city of Fes in Morocco
Religious school in Fes, Morocco
One of the places we visited during our stay in the city of Fes in Morocco was this building shown in today’s photos. I didn’t keep notes at the time, but I think it was an Islamic religious school. There were no students there at the time. If my memory is correct this was built many centuries ago and is now just on display for visitors, something of a museum. Whatever it is I found that the calm interior of the building an amazing contrast with the hustle and bustle of life in the medina or the street outside.
Religious school in Fes, Morocco
Religious school in Fes, Morocco
Religious school in Fes, Morocco
An unusually quiet street scene in Fes, Morocco
Shops in the medina of Fes in Morocco
The streets of Morocco are usually filled with milling crowds of people, especially in the medina like the one in Fes.
The sounds, smells and constant movement adds to this confusion for the visitor like me.
It was therefore a pleasant surprise to come across a brief hiatus in the bustling crowds as shown in today’s photos. It enabled me to had a good look at some of the items for sale. It also afforded an unusually good photographic opportunity, clear of the crowds.
Shops in the medina of Fes in Morocco
Mosaics in Fes, Morocco
Dining in style in Fes, Morocco
Beautiful restaurant in Fes, Morocco
On one of the days during our visit to Fes, Morocco, we had a delightful lunch in this magnificent restaurant. As stunning as it was, the most astonishing thing about it was the nondescript sign and entrance in the street outside (see photo below).
The lane outside was very plain with all the usual stalls, small shops and the always milling crowds and noise. The only indication of the restaurant’s presence was this simple sign (below). On moving through the door the restaurant opens up like an Aladdin’s magical cave, revealing a spacious, beautifully maintained and with an exotic decor in keeping with the local culture. Amazing.
The part of restaurant where we ate is seen though the doorway at the far end of the room. It was shrouded in luxurious looking carpets, drapes hung from the ceiling and low level lighting gave a truly exotic feel to the experience. And when we sat down we sank into deep, soft cushions.
As a bonus the food was wonderful. It’s just that we had so many great meals in Morocco I’ve completely forgotten what I ate that day. I didn’t even take a photo of the dish I had.
Restaurant in Fes, Morocco
Decorations inside a beautiful restaurant in Fes, Morocco
A picture of patience in Fes, Morocco
A picture of patience in the medina of Fes, Morocco
During our meanderings in the medina of Fes in Morocco I photographed this very patient animal waiting for his owner. To me it does not look like a horse, and it is certainly too big to be one of the local donkeys which were common. It has to be a mule. It was just standing there patiently, totally ignoring the busy, noisy crowds milling around. It even ignored the patting of one of our tour group (the lady with the red head covering).
It was certainly a lot more docile than some of the local donkeys who tend to be quite lively and belligerent in their attempts to push their way through a crowded street. we had to be constantly alert for them, as well as the local motor bike riders.
Dressing in style in Morocco
Stylish dress shop in Fes, Morocco
I found that the shop shown in today’s photo is something of a mystery to me. The dresses on sale in this shop are not your traditional or typical type of dress worn in Morocco.
So who was the target customer? Was it non-Moslem women? Are these aimed at the younger women trying to break free from traditional Islamic practices? (Our guide told me that this is increasingly an issue facing Morocco, especially in the workplace where traditional male only roles are being challenged by young, independent educated women.) Or perhaps these dresses are for tourists only or maybe also consular or NGO staff working in the area.
Whatever the reason, they certainly are glamorously beautiful.