Day 129: A Certain Shade Of Funk

Fes, Morocco

Today our host wanted to show us around the medina but she was feeling a bit under the weather. She introduced us to a few of her friends who were glad to take us around old town and show us some of the attractions but also where they like to hang out.

The Medina in Fes is quite the site, merchandise and goods from craftsmen and artisans from all over morocco make it into this giant market. and like always everything is for a very special price. street musicians wander by, the bright colors of the garments pull your attention as do the the shop owners wheeling and dealing, the craft and skill put into a lot of the works can be felt and all of this, squeezed into these narrowed corridors.

Our friends who were guiding us around, Mourad, Abdul, and Hinde, took us to and showed us some of their friends’ shops where we talked and had drinks. Went to some of their favorite coffee shops and had drinks, and went to some of their friend’s rooftop terraces and had drinks. It seems to be the common theme with these guys, but they told us they like to just kick back and take it easy so why not.

They also took us to take a look at some rug shops and the tannery but this time we went in and let the shop keepers know we were just in it for the sight seeing and don’t have the bank roll (or the bag space) to be buying anything. Really, who needs a Camel leather jacket when its scorching hot out every day. The tannery was a very cool sight, i never knew how much work went into making natural leather. There’s a 3 step process including a bath in a lime solution, dunking it in pigeon poo, then applying the dye to the skins. It was a cool sight but it did smell quite a bit.

The time came where me an Elys had to take off and catch our overnight bus to El Rissani where we head on wards to the desert.

Stay tuned for stories and pictures from the dunes of Merzouga!!!