Morocco Series: The intricate, breathtaking Ali Ben Youssef Medersa in Marrakesh

I'm not exaggerating - the Ali Ben Youssef Medersa was unbelievable. Every surface, nook, and cranny was adorned with meticulous stucco, or wood detailing. See for yourself.

*please be patient during photo upload - I've specially uploaded higher-res images so you guys get extra detail! :)






Amazing detail!

This is a shot looking out of an upper level window - the detail extends all the way up to the roofs.




Beautiful views out the dormitory windows. The dorm rooms themselves are actually very modest rooms.

A hall within the Medersa.














*All photos taken by my boyfriend, Chris

** I am by no means an expert and after 7 days of running around Morocco please feel free to correct me if any information I give in the Morocco Series is incorrect!

Morocco Series: Fes 3, A delicious lunch in a gorgeous restaurant

My desire to travel to Morocco started with a meal I had in a Moroccan restaurant shortly after moving to NYC. I can't remember what it was, just that it was mind-blowingly delicious. Well, now I can proudly say I've satisfied a life-goal by eating a delicious meal of mixed appetizers - lentils, butter beans, zucchini, etc., - vegetable couscous tagine, and a traditional Moroccan pastry with tea. mmmm....

Also, as you'll notice below, the restaurant itself is gorgeous! It's called Restaurant Asmae***

*please be patient during photo upload - I've specially uploaded higher-res images so you guys get extra detail! :)

The restaurant was unmarked and on a residential street. We would've never found it, except for this was where our guide ended our tour. We were a little suspicious naturally, as guides get commissions for bringing customers in, but the meal ended up being one of the best we had and was very reasonably priced. Especially considering how full we were!

The starters I enjoyed more than the main course and it was definitely enough for lunch for the two of us. To name a bit of what you see- fried eggplant, lentils, zucchini, carrots, green beans, tomato salad, etc. True haute gastronomie!

Below you'll find some gorgeous shots of the interior







Looking up from our table

A detail of the wood ceiling panels

*All photos taken by my boyfriend, Chris

** I am by no means an expert and after 7 days of running around Morocco please feel free to correct me if any information I give in the Morocco Series is incorrect!

***4, Derb Jeniara Fes Medina 3000 Maroc

Morocco Series: Fes Part II, The Medina

I'm back with more photos from Fes, this time with photos taken around the streets of Fes El-Bali (old Fes). The old city is surrounded by walls - which are being restored over time. "Fes el Bali is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its medina, the larger of the two medinas of Fes, is believed to be the world's largest contiguous car-free urban area. The University of Al-Karaouine, founded in 859 C.E., is the oldest continuously functioning university in the world." -via Wikipedia

*please be patient during photo upload - I've specially uploaded higher-res images so you guys get extra detail! :)

One of the many public fountains in the Fes Medina - you'll see people standing in line waiting to fill up large jugs of fresh water to bring back to their homes.

A typical sight on the medina streets.



One of the larger squares in the Medina. The larger pots you see sitting around are available for rent if your family is planning a large gathering and need to make a lot of food.

The residential streets are getting narrower over time and you'll see a lot of scaffolding used throughout the Medina to support failing walls.



A stunning ceiling outside entry to a mosque. Nothing was left unadorned!

The Kairaouine Mosque tower - the image doesn't do the color justice. Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter- but no one seems to mind us standing just outside the entry and taking photos.
Looking into the courtyard of the Kairaouine Mosque


I believe this shot was us looking into a mosque.



One of the many tanneries. Our guide took us up to the terrace to avoid the smell (the terrace, of course, being a part of his friend's leather shop)

We got lost at night, and while the streets were mostly lit, we still had to give an eager child a few dirhams to lead us out.

The main entrance to the Medina, Bab Bou Jeloud is actually a "recent addition," being built in 1913.



Chris and I were pleased that many of the food stalls and vendors were patronized by locals, not all tourists.

*All photos taken by my boyfriend, Chris

** I am by no means an expert and after 7 days of running around Morocco please feel free to correct me if any information I give in the Morocco Series is incorrect!

Morocco Series: Fes

We are back from Morocco and I have so much to share with you and so many photos! We visited three cities, Fes, Marrakech, and Essaouria. We started out in Fes so that is where I'll start with you. I'm usually a save the best for last kind of gal, but I couldn't resist introducing Fes to you via the amazing Medersa Attarine. A medersa is a college for teaching theology, law, Arabic literature and grammar. It "...was established by Sultan Abou Said in the 14th century as a student's resident and is actually one of the best medersas to have been created. The medersa is significant in terms of architecture and the excellent proportions of the carvings inside. ... The Attarin has an amazing collection of patterns in wood and stucco. The Attarin was and still is one of Fez's most celebrated medieval universities. The Building is a fusion of Islamic architecture and mathematical theory in the field of geometry. The medersa is a wonderful edifice and consists of a courtyard, a solemn prayer hall and a series of ascetic student rooms." via Asia Rooms

*please be patient during photo upload - I've specially uploaded higher-res images so you guys get extra detail! :)



















*All photos taken by honey, Christopher*

We employed a guide through our hotel for our first day in Fes, and he was great in that he could tell and show us how the residents of the city lived. He could also point out details such as the consistent use of 4 levels of materials; (from ceiling to floor) - wood, plaster, marble, and tile. You'll be able to see this in most of the photos.

I am by no means an expert and after 7 days of running around Morocco please feel free to correct me if any information I give in the Morocco Series is incorrect - I had to look up the name of this medersa based on other photos on the internet - my brain is a bit mushy! Here is a brief, but good article on the Medersas of Fes from Africa Travel Magazine.