One highlight in Fez, Morocco, is the Medina. This is an amazing network of alleyways and passages in the Old City. Ten thousand people live in this area of Fez. It is a confusing network of passages that have businesses, restaurants, and homes off them that seem to be hidden. It is recommended that you have a guide who knows his or her way around as you could very easily become lost in the maze. My guide had lived there his whole life and still got lost sometimes!
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| View of the Medina |
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| A wool business in the Medina |
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| Chickens for sale |
There is lots to see, hear, and smell in the Medina. You also have to watch out for local traffic in the form of donkey carts, motorcycles, and trucks! If someone yells "Belek!", get out of the way fast! It means that something is coming up behind you and it is best to move off the road. My group was waiting outside a spice shop for people who were purchasing items when a truck came along the pathway. We all had to hurry out of the way into another shop opposite or risk being run over!
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| A heavy laden donkey blocking the path |
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| Banners overhanging the passages of the Medina |
One main attraction in the Medina is the Tannery. This is where leather is coloured using natural dyes such as mint, poppy, indigo and saffron. The leather is first placed in pigeon dung, then in the dyes, so the Tannery is very smelly. You are given a sprig of mint at the door as you enter to help fend off the smells if you need it. I am from a farming community in Alberta, Canada and the smell wasn't any worse than a cattle ranch or pig farm.
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| The Tannery |
Another attraction in the Medina is the former Royal Palace. This palace was destroyed during the Lisbon, Portugal earthquake in 1755. It is possible to wander around the courtyard and the surrounding former palace residence. It is very interesting because you can see the damage that the earthquake caused quite clearly in the courtyard.
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| The courtyard of the former Royal Palace |
So, if you are in Fez, Morocco, be sure to visit the Medina.
~Angie
