Morocco - Fes
This was my second trip to Morocco - the first was back in 2010 which was a defining moment in my life. It was great to return and savour the familar sights, sounds, and smells of this stunning country.
The first trip was to Marrakech and it's surrounds. This trip took on four different sites starting in Fes, all wonderfully disparate, all charmingly Moroccan.
Fes is a bustling market town with the old souk coursing through its' centre from the blue gate across to the bus terminus. You never get used to the vibe of these towns. So much activity with locals busy shopping for the essentials while lines of textile, food, metal and glasswork proprietors vie for business. It feels chaotic, it is chaotic, but it's been like this for centuries. Put your clocks back folks, it's 1000AD.
One scene that is ubiquitously captured when featuring the city of Fes are the vats of dye at Chouara Tannery. It's a challenge to find as the narrow windy streets can bring on insanity after a couple of wrong turns. The reward however is the view from the top floor of a working riad, a palette of colour, and an unrefined stench that permeates through the tightly clustered buildings that surround this scene of antiquated industry. It is a wonderful view.
The Blue Gate serves as the main entrance to the souk.
There were many cafes located around the city to procure a traditional mint tea, many with rooftop gardens with ornate decor serving traditional foods.
The first trip was to Marrakech and it's surrounds. This trip took on four different sites starting in Fes, all wonderfully disparate, all charmingly Moroccan.
Fes is a bustling market town with the old souk coursing through its' centre from the blue gate across to the bus terminus. You never get used to the vibe of these towns. So much activity with locals busy shopping for the essentials while lines of textile, food, metal and glasswork proprietors vie for business. It feels chaotic, it is chaotic, but it's been like this for centuries. Put your clocks back folks, it's 1000AD.
One scene that is ubiquitously captured when featuring the city of Fes are the vats of dye at Chouara Tannery. It's a challenge to find as the narrow windy streets can bring on insanity after a couple of wrong turns. The reward however is the view from the top floor of a working riad, a palette of colour, and an unrefined stench that permeates through the tightly clustered buildings that surround this scene of antiquated industry. It is a wonderful view.
There was an opportunity to view the city by heading out of town and to the hills. The views were great out towards the hills to the north, and to the south, Fes spread across the indigenous landscape.
There were many cafes located around the city to procure a traditional mint tea, many with rooftop gardens with ornate decor serving traditional foods.
The area around Bab Boujloud is a hive of activity with open air markets and locals just hanging out and shooting the breeze.
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