A Day in Fes

Posted bypamlinesartPosted inArt

Our guide today was Abdul. He had been born in the Medina, the old city in Fes. This area dates back to 808AD. It houses the oldest university in Morocco ( possibly other places as well.)

Two tourists that have no idea what they are in for today.

We are outside the Royal Palace gate (one of 12). The brass doors are kept clean with lemon juice. More mosaics.

The Jewish quarter is next to the palace . During WW11 the Jews were protected in Fes, by the royal family.
The Muslim people go into the Palace through the left arch and Jews on the right. Don’t know why! Sounds like segregation to me.
Looking down on the Medina
Within the Medina there are over 9,000 streets and alleyways. Some of them only one person can go through.
Shopping for meat.
Spot the camel head!!!
The dough is patted out very thin then laid over the black head shape, which is very hot then put in the bowl. When cooked.
The heat is boiling the water in the tin, then he puts in the fabric to dye the colour. Then into a mixture of cold water and vinegar to set the colour.
Wool that has been dyed and hanging up to dry.
Beating the copper bowl.
After lunch Abdul said he would take us to see his mother. He was the youngest of 5 children who grew up here.
Abdul’s mothers house was full of mosaic s. She made us very welcome and when we left she gave us a jar of Moroccan biscuits to take. ❤️
Artisan punching the pattern in the brass tray.
A co-op of women employed to do needlework. Done by 2 hands, one needle.
Usually they work at home but some come in to demonstrate in the shop.
The Medina away from the tourists.
I had been waiting for this all day. The tannery were the vats and the process dates back to the 12th century.
Pigeon poo and lime in the water to soften the skins. Colours made from natural ingredients, plants and dirt.
Skins are eventually hung to dry.

Thats it for today. Met some beautiful people who were very generous. We did support the Moroccan economy today too. No time for sketching but so many ideas for paintings.

Bye. Pamela.

Published by pamlinesart

I am a full time watercolour artist living in the beautiful village of Waihi Beach in New Zealand.

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