From Marrakech Express to Casablanca

Well our time is rapidly coming to a close.  We arrived in Casablanca about Noon and immediately took our city tour and had lunch.  We saw the Hassan II Mosque - magnificent!

 

Also, visited the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes with the most amazing stained glass windows I've ever seen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mohammed V Square wasn't anything special, but is quite the gathering place for the locals.  The Habous Quarter (which included the Royal Palace) and the Corniche section were wonderful.  

 

 

Tonight we have our farewell dinner at a restaurant on the Corniche and tomorrow we head home.  It's been a great trip and I've met some wonderful people - Birute, Leslie and Poochie a/k/a the madams.

 

 

Marrakech: Ready or Not Here We Come !!

A full day's travel to Marrakech wasn't half bad because of the stops throughout the journey.  We arrived in the evening and checked into our hotel.  A secluded, luxurious resort about 3/4 of a mile from the Jaama El Fna Square.

After a night's rest, we headed to the Koutubia Minaret near the Jaama El Fna Square. 


 

 

On we went to the Saadian Tombs which date back to the 16th century.  Very beautiful. 

On we went to the pharmacie - not your typical pharmacy.  This pharmacie sells herbs, spices and perfumes.  One particular item in demand - Argan Oil.  Several of the items I purchased are guaranteed to make me look years younger - yea right.  Yes, I'm a sucker!! 

 

 

Our group walked from the tombs to the Jaama El Fna Square, where several went for the afternoon tour and others took free time.   I was in the free time category - after all I must find the two items high on my list - kilims and a lamp.   I found both!!!  No pictures of the kilims just yet, but I do have one of the lamp I bought.  Just love it.

 

Can't wait to get it hung.  After my bargaining and hauling everything back to the hotel, it was time for relaxation because tonight is the carriage ride and dinner.

The carriage ride through the streets of Marrakech and the Square was fantastic.  Seeing and hearing all the activities in the Square - snake charmers, shoppers, musicians, monkey handlers and portable dining carts.

Our carriage ride took us to dinner at a hidden gem at the edge of the Medina - down the alley way of a partially destroyed building was the Riad Lotus Privilege.  The atmosphere was amazing; the food and entertainment fabulous.  We thought where in the world is our guide taking us because there were no visible food establishments.  Needless to say we were quite surprised.

 

 

Here is the last few minutes of the Whirling Dervish.  We were eating in a low light setting,  We also had some musicians and a superb belly dancer. 

 

 

Fez? No, Fes the Imperial City

Fes was founded by Moulay Idriss in 808 AD.  Fes, is quite different from Rabat - a pretty dirty city for the most part, however, the area around our hotel was very pretty with lots of palm trees.  The age of Fes shows in lots of places, especially in the Medina (means "old city").  Some of the walls are being supported with heavy boards until some restoration can take place.  There are some alley ways probably two feet wide, while others are maybe 6 feet wide.  Very, very interesting place.

The group started the day by visiting the area of Fes called The Mellah (old Jewish quarter of the city).  It was fascinating and included the Iban Danan Synagogue (the synagogue for the poor jewish population).  The quarter had streets designated for the poor, middle class and wealthy.  This was definitely a segregated community.

Next we headed for the Royal Palace (it appears there is a Royal Palace in every city we visited because they were each the capital at one time during Morocco's history).  The palaces are never open to the public for tours, so the outside is all you get.  I must say, I saw some of the most beautiful wood doors. 

Next we traveled to a fort overlooking the Medina for an overall view of its size.  Unbelievable.  So glad we had a guide.  I could be wondering around in that maze for months, possibly years. 

And here we go - to the Medina.  I must admit it was a little disappointing considering everything I had read.  But we only visited a very small portion.  Perhaps I'll come back someday.  Our journey through the maze begins. 

Our first stop was the dying area - they use natural herbs and spices and then hang whatever is being dyed to dry.  For example, they use saffron for the yellow

The leather, however, is dyed differently.  They first use urine and pigeon droppings to soften the leather in white honeycomb looking vats and then transfer the hides to the various other vats, depending on what color the hide is to be.  The workers are paid per piece.

 

Now off we go to the carpet coop.  Oh my goodness, I found four of the most beautiful kilims and the bargaining begins.   Guess who won?  Well it wasn't me and I walked away empty handed and a little discouraged.  Kilims were so high on my list and I was wondering if I would find what I really wanted.  The gentleman kept saying "ma'am give me your best price."  But I can say I stuck to my guns and wasn't going to go over what I had intended to spend.

 

 

On the way to our next stop we came upon the bread bakery for that area of the Medina.  Quite interesting.

Off we go now to the Attarine Medersa (Koranic school of the Spice Sellers) was named for local spice merchants known as attar. Founded by Merinid Sultan Abou Saïd Othman in the 14th century as a students' dormitory attached to the Kairaouine Mosque.  The mosaics and carved wood is unbelievable.  There is a mosque attached

 

You never know what you might see in a Medina - sort of feel like I'm back in time!
   

 

Our time in Fes ended with an awesome dinner at a restaurant in the Medina.  My first chicken tajine!  The entertainment was great.

 

I'm pooped