Morocco Day 3

Bright and early start for us, Brendan and I meet up with Tracey and Stacy for breakfast at 7:30. Even though most of the country is fasting from sunrise to sundown, there is still lots of grace given to tourists. Our breakfast wasn’t very good, but at least there were lots of options. After that we all piled into the small bus at 8:15, met the driver, and begin the over 4 hour journey to the Roman ruins and Fes. After 2 hours we made a quick stop at a gas station for snacks and bathroom break. 

Fruits and veggies on the road, Atlas Mountians in the back 

The truck that burst

Inside of our ride for the next week. 

Water park

Gas station and rest stop

Next we drove through Meknes, one of the oldest cities in Morocco, for some photos of their Medina, or old town. 

Then we made a hour drive to see some Roman ruins, formally known as Volubilis, and is a UNESCO site. 

Turtle

Cats are everywhere

Spot the snail!

Very impresive mosaics

White city in the distance

Lots of olive trees

Donkey!!

After the ruins we took another hour drive to enjoy a local meal with a women’s shelter. Our tour company is one of many that supports a nonprofit that gives to these women. Very delicious food, we had a chicken tagine then orange with cinnamon for dessert. At the end we finished with some moraccan mint tea, which is green tea brewed with fresh mint leaves. Often we saw servers raising the tea kettle high in the air when pouring the tea, and we learned that is a sign to welcome guests. The higher the pot the more you are welcome.

Pouring the tea

Eat up!

Chicken Tagine

getting the tea ready. 

different pots

After eating we got into the van again and headed for Fez. After about an hour we arrived at our hotel. We dropped off our bags and our guide, Hicham, walked us through the French town to an ATM, showing us some food spots along the way. Fez is the oldest city in Morocco founded around 800, and has been occupied and influenced by lots of different peoples. The French occupied the city and Morocco from 1912-1956, so there is a lot of influence The new area of the town is called French town. I bet you can guess why. 

The "new" French town

They serve tea always, often when welcoming people. This is from the hotel

 

After our ATM stop, we broke off from the main group to walk up and down main boulevard of French town. We wandered around a bit, then went to dinner at one of Hicham’s recommendations. We weren’t very hungry as lunch was large and late in the days so we just shared a few plates before heading back to the hotel for the evening. 

Selfie at the ruins

Cart of figs

my mojito

tuna tartar

cheese risotto

Wishing for the best on your adventures, 

Cienna