We left Rabat which is the capital of Morocco and drove to Fes which is the cultural and educational center of the country. Everywhere the influence of foreign cultures abound in this little country and Fes is no different. Some of the first foreign entities to the area were the Romans. They established an outpost near the town of Meknes in 25BC and stayed there until about 275 AD. They established a city with beautiful villas, a sophisticated economy and all of the luxuries of Roman life. It quickly became obvious to me that no one on the trip had had Annette Parker’s world history class, because they could not grasp how sophisticated Roman life could be. The excavated site is much smaller than Pompeii but has similar characteristics. Beautiful mosaics, a bathhouse, public latrines and houses for the rich and the poor. There was a stork nest on one of the columns and one sweet lady thought it had been there since the Romans. There is evidence of an arena, a hippodrome and a many more houses. Time and money will be needed to finish that project.
We left there and drove on to Fes. Students were everywhere. Elementary students were being picked up by parents, high schoolers were hanging out and university students were all over the various campuses. This evening were had a couscous dinners in a sumptuous riad. The food was simple. Couscous with vegetable and meat. The setting was hard to believe. Carved and painted doors, tile work that started the eye, a roof that could be opened, hand made table linens and centerpieces fit for a wedding. We were allowed to explore two floors of the house and each floor was more elaborate. The city was even more beautiful after dark. Red and green lights decorate the tree trunks, and lighted garlands hang across broad boulevards. One would think the city was planning an early Christmas celebration except of course there is no such thing in this country. People are out walking about, visiting with friends, drinking tea or coffee and pleasantly spending the evening together. There is something enviable about their life style. Tomorrow we shall see more of the city and learn more of their history.
Trouble with site publishing photographs – will publish later.