Morocco: Fes

Morocco! Old sunny country and one of the most beautiful of north Africa! I heard of the beauty of Marrakesh, but I only had the chance to visit Fes, the old city located in the north of the country. Quite far from the coast, but you can easly reach the city by plane (you can even find very cheap prices from Europe!) or by bus or by train (via Casablanca) from Marakesh, for a short trip in this beautiful city.

 Fes is divided in two parts: the old and the new city. The new is not very interesting: some large streets, with hortels and restaurants for foreigners. It will be also hard to find a bar or nightclub there: it's not really part of the moroccan culture (alcohol is very hard to find ^^). However, the old city, hidden behind the royal palace and inside a fortress wall, is very charismatic! Once you passed the huge wall, you will discover hundreds of little streets and it will be very easy for you to get lost there! Walking from Mosques (the most famous one is the Bou Inania Madrasa) to the university Al-Karaouine.

You will find traditionnal restaurants, markets, fountains, and some very smelly places (the famous leather tannings of Fes,.... which are stinky as hell!). However, the traditionnal work there is worldwide famous.

Like most of the cities in Africa, you will meet lot of poor people in the streets... but most of them won't ask you a coin. They will invit you in their shop or try to help you to visit the city. Just stay smily, and if you don't want, just say no. Morrocans are friendly (at least those I met!), they will be happy to present you their country and productes. However, if you want to negociate, keep in mind that prices are between 5 and 10 times cheaper than the first price said by the seller (sometimes more!). Be ready to negociate! But keep in mind that you should stop when you consider that the price is cheap. Don't force to get the lowest price as possible: life is not always easy in Fes, and if you are satisfy with the price you negociate, let the seller gets some benefits too ;)

By the way, if you meet this kind of door in the street: it means that the house is own by a berber family :)