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Morocco: Experience The Medina of Fez! Article and photos by Kalie Schumacher-Smith |
| WAVE Journey |
| Women's Adventures, Vacations & Experiences ~ Your Journey Starts Here! |
ript type="text/javascript">
A Woman's Directory For Travel and Life.
WAVE Journey is your one-stop online resource for women-oriented businesses and
services around the world.
WAVE Journey is for every woman to enjoy. If you love to travel, cook, read or revel in outdoor
activities this website is for you. If you are looking to connect with other like-minded women or
if you are interested in finding businesses or services that cater to women, WAVE Journey is your
number one online resource.
WAVE Journey is your one-stop online resource for women-oriented businesses and
services around the world.
WAVE Journey is for every woman to enjoy. If you love to travel, cook, read or revel in outdoor
activities this website is for you. If you are looking to connect with other like-minded women or
if you are interested in finding businesses or services that cater to women, WAVE Journey is your
number one online resource.
The dictionary defines Morocco as: a kingdom in north-west Africa. It couldn’t be more right. Not
only is Morocco a country, but also a kingdom. A kingdom of magnificence, uniqueness, and
tradition. A kingdom that flaunts the pristine beauty of Casablanca, the industrialized capital
Rabat, and the ancient charisma of Fez. Morocco, in its entirety, is truly a kingdom.
only is Morocco a country, but also a kingdom. A kingdom of magnificence, uniqueness, and
tradition. A kingdom that flaunts the pristine beauty of Casablanca, the industrialized capital
Rabat, and the ancient charisma of Fez. Morocco, in its entirety, is truly a kingdom.
My boyfriend, Sergio, and I decided to take a one-week tour to Morocco using the tour company
Luxo Tours. The trip consisted of travelling, by bus to 4 major cities in Morocco: Fez, Marrakech,
Casablanca and Rabat.
However, for me, no other city of Morocco can compare to that of Fez. There is an old Moroccan
proverb that reads: "Among walnuts only the empty one speaks". This proverb perfectly
describes Fez, Morocco. Fez is the one corner of the world that preserves the “old city”, the
empty walnut. It speaks of simpler times, a time that never changed for Fez.
Luxo Tours. The trip consisted of travelling, by bus to 4 major cities in Morocco: Fez, Marrakech,
Casablanca and Rabat.
However, for me, no other city of Morocco can compare to that of Fez. There is an old Moroccan
proverb that reads: "Among walnuts only the empty one speaks". This proverb perfectly
describes Fez, Morocco. Fez is the one corner of the world that preserves the “old city”, the
empty walnut. It speaks of simpler times, a time that never changed for Fez.
Fez, the former capital of Morocco and the country’s third largest city boasts
old school charm. The city itself dates back to the year AD 789, and you can
really grasp how ancient the city is by the old buildings and mannerisms of
the city’s citizens.
Even though Fez is so old, it does have a “new city” that is modernized and
has an effective commercial center. However, just a 10 minute walk and
you are transformed to another world – the Medina of Fez.
old school charm. The city itself dates back to the year AD 789, and you can
really grasp how ancient the city is by the old buildings and mannerisms of
the city’s citizens.
Even though Fez is so old, it does have a “new city” that is modernized and
has an effective commercial center. However, just a 10 minute walk and
you are transformed to another world – the Medina of Fez.
The Medina or “old
city” is the oldest part
of Fez, dating back to
the year 800. It is
walled and designed
as a labyrinth or maze
which makes it almost
impossible, if you are
unfamiliar with it, to
find your way out. No
cars are allowed within
the Medina, however
bikes and donkeys
crowd the narrow
streets. The streets
are filled, on a daily
basis, with people
going about their day,
market stalls, animals
and endless different
aromas and sounds.
Street sellers rush up
to tourists speaking a
mixture of Spanish,
English and their
native French and
Arabic.
city” is the oldest part
of Fez, dating back to
the year 800. It is
walled and designed
as a labyrinth or maze
which makes it almost
impossible, if you are
unfamiliar with it, to
find your way out. No
cars are allowed within
the Medina, however
bikes and donkeys
crowd the narrow
streets. The streets
are filled, on a daily
basis, with people
going about their day,
market stalls, animals
and endless different
aromas and sounds.
Street sellers rush up
to tourists speaking a
mixture of Spanish,
English and their
native French and
Arabic.
The children of the Medina are unique in their own way. Although they look
cute and innocent, the children and their families are very poor. Tourists don’t
expect the children to try and rob them which makes it easier for the children
to silently pick-pocket tourists. My boyfriend and I witnessed a young boy
sticking his hand in the pocket of another person from our tour. Once my
boyfriend yelled “watch out!” the little boy ran off disappearing into the crowd
of people. Our guide told us that it is very common for tourists to later check
their pockets and find their wallets or money missing. The best thing to do is
store everything in a book bag or fanny pack and keep them in front of you.
However, without the children, the Medina would not be the same. The
children enjoy having their pictures taken and smiles light up their faces as
you show them the photo. They laugh as you try to communicate with them
in the little Arabic or French you know and will then in turn, attempt to speak
with you in your language. Young boys have the same responsibility as the
adult men and will be seen carrying loads of fruit and vegetables as they
deliver the goods for their parents. The children’s laughter, running, and
shouting is what creates the atmosphere of the Medina.
cute and innocent, the children and their families are very poor. Tourists don’t
expect the children to try and rob them which makes it easier for the children
to silently pick-pocket tourists. My boyfriend and I witnessed a young boy
sticking his hand in the pocket of another person from our tour. Once my
boyfriend yelled “watch out!” the little boy ran off disappearing into the crowd
of people. Our guide told us that it is very common for tourists to later check
their pockets and find their wallets or money missing. The best thing to do is
store everything in a book bag or fanny pack and keep them in front of you.
However, without the children, the Medina would not be the same. The
children enjoy having their pictures taken and smiles light up their faces as
you show them the photo. They laugh as you try to communicate with them
in the little Arabic or French you know and will then in turn, attempt to speak
with you in your language. Young boys have the same responsibility as the
adult men and will be seen carrying loads of fruit and vegetables as they
deliver the goods for their parents. The children’s laughter, running, and
shouting is what creates the atmosphere of the Medina.
| Page 1 of 2 / Next Page |
The best way to handle the street sellers, which can become very agitating