Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Fes

The next  morning we awake and get breakfast from our great host Mohamed.  Bread, jam, cheese, butter, coffee and other goodies.  We then figure out the plan to reach the train station to get on the rails to Fes.  After a short walk and a few mistakes on the public bus system we find the train station and get ready for a ride.  As we ride through the heart of Morocco I wonder how life has sustained itself for as long as it has.  A dry barren land for a few hours opens up to a sparse grass field.  The buildings, a rainbow of sand colors, fill the sides of the rails once we reach the cities of Casablanca and Rabat.  Closing in on Fes we are looking in the LP and phone to find our hostel. Figuring out that the riad is within walking distance of the station we decided to make the trek. A few short moments later we are approached by a man and conversation begins. We quickly become aware that the hostel is not where think it was. The man makes a quick phone call to confirm he knows where the riad is. He then walks us out and snags 2 taxis and talks them down on price for us. Minutes later we arrival in the maze that is mid evil Fes. Our cabby tells us to get out in Arabic.  Now 4 white bread Americans stand in confusion on where to go from there. After a few moments of dumb stares the riad owner appears over a hill with 2 more lost Americans.  We say hello and make our way to dropping off the other gringos. Now our riad, much like everywhere else in Morocco is no less then 5-50 confusing turns on unmarked alleys. We reach our place to stay.  The room has photos of the owner family tacked on the walls.  A bed that dips in all the wrong places was where we were to sleep tonight. A quick peek on the rooftop terrace shows the Medina at night. This place looks confusing.  Sleep... Breakfast.  Bread, jam the usually and did I mention the mint tea. A sweet blend of mint and sugar comes at every meal, hotel and transaction. A high pour to create a little foam on top. This is how Morocco moves, mint tea.

We head out for the day.  As we hit up the tannery the smell of hides and pigeon poo becomes apparent.  

Just found this from last year we will add to it.

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