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All aboooooard the traaaaaain

10/11/2015

3 Comments

 
It's funny how silly little things can make you smile. You should listen to this as you read below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7XIL67QSME

I played "Marrakech Express" for the kids at the train station yesterday and they rolled their eyes at me as if to say, "what is that old junk?" I guess I don't care what they think, because I found it fun to listen to CSN's song about the train ride we were about to embark on. I've always know this song and found it exotic, and it was nice to live it out. Even though we were going north instead of south, the journey was essentially the same. 

"Looking at the world through the sunset in your eyes
Traveling the train through clear Moroccan skies
Ducks and pigs and chickens call
Animal carpet wall to wall
American ladies five-foot tall in blue..."

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After our 7 hour ride we arrived in Fez in the dark. I'm grateful Barry had arranged for a driver to pick us up and take us directly to the edge of the carless walled city. At the square our host met us and walked us down an alley to the riad. We quickly discovered that the Fez medina is not a place to travel lightly. It is an absolute labyrinth! We learned later that the city was built this way (with incredibly narrow and twisty alleys) to protect if from invaders. I can see why the city has lasted since the 9th century.

Even though yesterday was physically relaxing, we all feel a little tired today and have decided to enjoy a relaxing morning at our riad. Sometimes we just need to be still, surf the internet, do homeschooling and prepare for days ahead. This is such a comfortable place to do that. 

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At 1:00, a private guide met us to show us around the town for 3 hours. 

The tour was fantastic, and there's no way we would have found our way around this ancient place without help. On our own, we would have only seen the touristy part of town rather than experiencing hidden gems that the locals see. As mentioned above, the streets wind their way up the local hills, and the doorways along the paths hide everything from simple shops to small homes to grand riads. Our guide arranged for us to peak into some of the gorgeous courtyards that are completely invisible from the paths. We also saw a fancy riad that Molly would have loved to stay at due to the gorgeous little pool. She'll have to come back on a bigger budget!

This city, unlike Marrakech's core, feels like an authentic, working city. Tourism is a side industry, whereas leather production, woodcarving, metal work, etc, are at the heart of this city's success. 
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a typical alley in Fez
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beautiful old doors traditionally painted
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overlooking Fez
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the vats of the leather tannery - a big industry in Fez
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Fez through a peep hole in the wall
3 Comments
Aiden Leahey
13/11/2015 07:20:26 pm

Love the architecture of the buildings!!! ;)

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Peter Taylor
15/11/2015 06:18:52 pm

I remember that song and had no idea until tonight what it was about. Thanks.

Reply
Ursula
16/11/2015 01:28:54 am

I remember as a teen always thinking Marrakech was a magical place because of it. Now that I've seen it, some novelty has worn off!
We are settled in Israel, renting an apartment from a Canadian who moved here with his Moroccan wife. I'm sure we won't get enough of this city. Other than visiting Masada and the Dead Sea, we'll stay in Jerusalem.

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    Author - Ursula

    We are embarking on the family journey of a lifetime and I am trying to be the bravest and most adventurous version of myself as we begin. Looking forward to this journey is very exciting and rather overwhelming at the same time. We are making huge changes in our lives in hopes of enriching them.

    My blog is a personal account of this trip. I'm happy to it share with my family and friends so they can join me on this journey. 

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