Hello from Fes!

Hello from Fes, Morocco!! It's Tuesday afternoon (about 4:30) and I'm sitting in the courtyard of the riad where we are spending the next two nights. Some sort of stomach ailment hit Tim about 3:00 this a.m. and Molly around noon today so currently, I'm the last one left standing. We hooked up with our driver and guide this morning in Meknes and were driven to Fes, about an hour away. We had a light lunch; Tim and Molly are currently napping and hopefully will feel better when they wake up.

Meanwhile, I’m enjoying a little slice of heaven, here in the riad open-air courtyard. Outside it is warm, noisy, and dusty, but there is a peaceful oasis just inside the riad door. There's a small swimming pool in the center, surrounded by gorgeous tile floors and columns with the typical keyhole style Moroccan arches. Small tables and settees with silk and velvet cushions provide comfortable seating all around the pool. There are orange and limquat (our guide said 'like kumquat but limquat', whatever that is) trees growing around the pool and up towards the clear blue sky. A bird that looks like some sort of catbird flies from window to window, perches on the grillwork and taps its bill on the glass, trying to chase off that ‘other’ bird.

This riad used to be the private home of a prominent judge and philosopher in Fes. I get lost each time I go to our room - there are multiple winding staircases, hallways, little sitting rooms, etc. But I find a new enchanting place each time I go exploring. There are chaises on the rooftop and you can sit up there and see the old city (from the 14th century) for miles and miles - also the Royal Palace, one of over 30 used by King Mohammed VI and his family when they travel around the country. I do feel like I’ve stepped backwards in time and that Aladdin will show up at any moment with his lamp.

Our plan was to spend yesterday in Meknes with Molly and then for Tim and I to go on to Fes today. But it was too hard to leave Molly behind so she came along! She planned to take the train home this afternoon but is now going to spend tonight and tomorrow with us here in Fes. She will go home tomorrow evening - hopefully she will feel better by then! It’s a good thing she has only one class a day so she is not missing too much. I never thought I’d be encouraging her to skip class but am very happy she’s spending a few more days with us. We will have to sightsee in overdrive tomorrow to make up for lost time today J