Nov 28 Fes – Carpets and Weaving

Today we coined a new phrase – the full half-day tour.  Because this was supposed to be a half day tour but it went from about 9:00 to 5:00.

The entire day was spent in the Fes Medina.  First stop was the Batha Museum with beautiful courtyards and gardens.

It had some awesome ceilings.

Next stop was the Bou Inania Medersa, an Islamic school.

We also saw the Al Qaraouiyine Mosque that is associated with the school.  It is one of the very few mosques in Morocco in which non-Muslims are allowed.  Photos were restricted to the exterior of the Mosque and the ceilings.

The medina continues to amaze with its busy alleyways and streets...

and the wide variety of shops and merchandise...

These cats are hanging out at a fish market...obviously hoping for handouts.

We had lunch on a terrace overlooking the city.

After lunch we went to see a weaving demonstration (the weaver only did any weaving when a new group of tourists came in.  The shop had lots of beautiful fabrics.

Right next door was the carpet shop.  It was located in a former palace and it was beautiful.  Plus the carpets were also beautiful.  Several of us purchased carpets.

The non-shoppers headed out early and ran into these folks with their horses/donkeys.    

Our Riad in Fes is pretty magnificent.  There are two routes to the riad…one through a pretty large garden…

and the other through a maze of streets.  Fortunately it wasn’t too complicated and no one got lost.

The riad has is on a separate lane that they light with small lanterns.

The lobby is several stories high with lots of greenery and beautiful old worn furniture.  

There are also several courtyards.  One on the way to the restaurant…

and one on the way to our room.