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Odds and Ends


Here are a few pictures from our wandering, and a few things you might consider keeping in mind while in Morocco.


This is a Muslim country, primarily Sunni, and alcohol is hard to find. It is especially hard (read impossible) during holidays. This turns out to be okay as I recently fell over a stove and still have the bruises to prove it. Nic almost never drinks, so he is fine. I would not mind a nightcap, but it has been a good break. 


Do not talk about Western Sahara, especially if you are referring to a part of the Sahara desert. This is a touchy subject since the end of World War II. There is an ongoing conflict over it. People have strong feelings about it.


We have 56 steps up to our hotel room, which is secluded and so quiet. we also have this cute little balcony all to ourselves with a pretty nice view of Fes below.

Do not ask your guide in front of store keepers is their product is fake. Just not a good idea. Nic was very firmly informed yesterday. 



Our hotel room is named, Djeanna, which is a Moroccan name! Who knew?

One big learning I have had while here was about the houses. Moustaffa told us yesterday that it is forbidden to show your wealth, which really explains why all of the house look the same. As soon as the door opens, the world is transformed. It also means that socioeconomic lines blur. Families have held the some home in their history for generations. Very wealthy folks might live right next door to a family of much more humble means. 

Items are moved throughout Fes not using the streets, but passed over the rooftops. 


In Morocco the currency is the diram. Right now the diram is about 10-1 to the US Dollar.


And because I love the way foreign money looks, here are some Euros. 


Today we are headed up to the Atlas Mountains. Nic is hoping there is nowhere to spend money in the mountains as I had a good time haggling or not as the case may be with a few artisans yesterday. We have a lot fewer diram and Euros today than we did yesterday.





 

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