We took another train from Rabat to Fes, the third largest city, and arguably the second most touristy city after Marrakesh. After our wonderful stay in Essaouira, we decided to try another home stay experience. However, this time it didn't work out as well, so after 2 nights we left and found a more accommodating hotel. The home stay, called Dar Filalia, wasn't terrible, but was uncomfortable. The family was always present, they did not speak English, and they kept trying to talk us into paying for tours or buying carpets (the son had a shop across the street). Their advertisement online was also incorrect - breakfast was not included, and while there was a kitchen, the mother was always in there, so we really couldn't use it much. And while they were nice enough to do our laundry (for a fee of course), it came back wrinkled and smelling like mildew. We started getting a bad vibe off the bat when they moved us to a different room than the one we had booked soon after arrival. There were only two rooms and the other wasn't much different, but they moved us in order to make room for a French couple who payed more (we know because the mother showed us how much they were paying on a copy of their booking reservation). The couple also bought a carpet, so we really couldn't compete. Overall would not recommend, by far the worst place we'd stayed up to that point. Hotel Splendid (downtown) was much nicer, same price range.
Fes itself was very nice, though a bit busy. The streets have signs leading to important locations and cars are not allowed in the Medina, meaning it's safer and less stressful for pedestrians.
Museum Gate:
The tanneries, where men dye, bleach, and treat leather:
The tanneries from the outside:
While walking around we stumbled upon a museum which is also the home of a local artist. He lives in a house that used to be an old palace. It was really interesting to see a location so similar to the major palaces and landmarks being used as a regular home with drying laundry and barking dogs.
Only some of the rooms were open for viewing. They set up two rooms to show how they might have looked in different time periods:
We saw a lot of neat sights just walking around the Medina:
And a garbage truck picking up trash:
A panoramic view of the city:
The Seffarine Square, known for the coppersmiths:
The Quranic library from the 14th century (currently under renovations):
And of course the Fes madrasa:
The Bab Bou Jeloud (blue gate):
View of the famous mosque:
And a nice dinner to end our visit (ready for the wedding scheduled later in the day):
Fes itself was very nice, though a bit busy. The streets have signs leading to important locations and cars are not allowed in the Medina, meaning it's safer and less stressful for pedestrians.
Museum Gate:
The tanneries, where men dye, bleach, and treat leather:
The tanneries from the outside:
While walking around we stumbled upon a museum which is also the home of a local artist. He lives in a house that used to be an old palace. It was really interesting to see a location so similar to the major palaces and landmarks being used as a regular home with drying laundry and barking dogs.
Only some of the rooms were open for viewing. They set up two rooms to show how they might have looked in different time periods:
We saw a lot of neat sights just walking around the Medina:
And a garbage truck picking up trash:
A panoramic view of the city:
The Seffarine Square, known for the coppersmiths:
The Quranic library from the 14th century (currently under renovations):
And of course the Fes madrasa:
The Bab Bou Jeloud (blue gate):
View of the famous mosque:
And a nice dinner to end our visit (ready for the wedding scheduled later in the day):
No comments:
Post a Comment