I was sucker punched by Fez today. I’m going to chalk it all up to the fact that I need to get out of the city: in two days I’ll be on the train to Marrakesh to climb Mt. Toubqal, the highest peak in the Atlas mountains, see saffron fields during harvest, visit the Tin Mal mosque at what was once the heart of the Almohad empire, and listen to some live music on the coast in Essaouira. Alhumdulleleh.
Though I need a break, I still enjoy exploring Fez.
At the risk of sounding like a tired guidebook, the best way to explore Fez, I’m certain, is to first have a vague idea of what you’d like to see, head in that general direction, and to not be too upset if you never reach your destination. You’ll probably come across something just as exciting.
Saturday mornings are the best time for these types of excursions. The shops are open, Fassis are out taking care of business, and I am itching to get out as I usually spend Friday nights at home. Last week I went in search of the Al-Andalous Mosque via Bab Fetouh, in the east medina of Fez. (Bab generally means “door” in Arabic. Here in Fez they’re entrances to the medina.)
Seeing a field of white through Bab Fetouh, I made my way up to the cemetery.
I passed through a busy market and ate a few prickly pears.
The Al Andalous Mosque wasn’t really worth a picture from the outside, but nearly next door was a beautiful medersa, where students of the Qairaouine University used to live.
correction *an inspiring
I’m sure that it’s exhausting getting used to the Moroccan culture. I can’t even imagine, but I give you mad props for going out there and experiencing a typical Moroccan Saturday morning. It looks so different!
Good luck climbing that mountain. I hope you are singing and inspiring song as you climb…*cough* Climb every mountain…sound of music *cough* What an accomplishment!