فاس‎         ⴼⴰⵙ          Fès            Fez

We started the day off with a full breakfast at the Riad Marjana, complete with Msemmen, eggs, cheese, and as usual, a glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice. Our new tour guide, Hisham, took us to the first stop of the day: The Golden Gates of the Palais Royale. Decorated with golden tessellation, the symmetrical print left us in awe. Surrounded by a garden of orange trees, the sour citrus fruit proves an effective way to preserve the various metals on the gate.

We then visited a traditional synagogue, the Ibn Danan (also a part-time judicial court), learning about Morocco’s rich Jewish community and how people, for so long, have learned to accept, rather than tolerate, differences. We also talked about how it’s important to be ambassadors of peace, both as a traveler and a citizen.

Next, we visited a retired high school, similar to our school now, where students from all countries and from all socioeconomic classes come together, not to learn, but to share knowledge with one another. We discussed education systems within Morocco, both present and past, and how they have allowed students from less-privileged backgrounds to have access to the same opportunities as their peers of a higher class. Hisham told us about the issue with language barriers and how they utilized those who were excluded from communities all over the world to form bridges of communication between a diverse student body. For example, blind people, who were seen as useless, could learn audibly and memorize concepts better than those with sight. Within the Medina, complete with complex alleyways, they were able to form their own version of early Braille (through the use of nails) to more easily navigate.

After a brief lunch at Restaurant Ennajjarine, we went to the Poterie de Fes where we studied artisans and their crafts when creating mosaics, painting, and shaping various clay pottery. The intricate, colorful, and geometric shapes fit perfectly together, forming beautiful and vibrant designs. As we attempted to keep our hands steady while making our own mosaic pieces, we grew an appreciation for the challenging process of creating and decorating a design often overlooked.

For dinner, we went to the Taoussi family home, a local Moroccan family living in Fes, who graciously welcomed us. While enjoying our chicken tajine and vegetable dish, we spoke to their three children, all of whom are in university, and got to learn more about adolescent life in Morocco while also exchanging stories from our own experiences. From our varying tastes in music to a philosophical discussion on moral issues, we discovered how similar they are to us, despite our different backgrounds.

We topped the night off on a sweet note: late-night ice cream from a street vendor! See you all soon as we continue our exploration of Fes!

— Bill and Marianne

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