Poterie de Fes

Our next stop was the Poterie de Fes––a pottery and tile maker.

Poterie de Fes

Poterie de Fes

A very nice mural on its wall.

Poterie de Fes

Poterie de Fes

Its grounds.

Poterie de Fes

Poterie de Fes

Some of the beautiful mosaic fountains and table tops made here.

Poterie de Fes

Poterie de Fes

This worker is cutting mosaic pieces by hand. First, on an approximate 4 x 4–inch tile, he outlined four mosaic pieces to be cut from the larger tile using an already cut piece as a guide. Then, he used a hammer to separate the four pieces from the main tile. I always assumed that mosaic pieces were cut by a machine. Next time I go to a tile store I’ll ask about this.

Poterie de Fes

Poterie de Fes

The kilm. Pieces are ready when they turn a particular color.

Poterie de Fes

Poterie de Fes

The bottom of the kilm.

Poterie de Fes

Poterie de Fes

Some of their exquisite fountains.

Poterie de Fes

Poterie de Fes

And more.

Poterie de Fes

Poterie de Fes

And one more.

Poterie de Fes

Poterie de Fes

Their mosaic tables also were exquisite.

Poterie de Fes

Poterie de Fes

The company also makes deco tiles. I am wondering if some of the Moroccan tiles sold in U.S. stores are from this company.

Poterie de Fes

Poterie de Fes

Their pottery store. I went looking for something that I would buy as gifts or something for myself but I wasn’t enthused about any of the pieces except for some big ones that I could never fit in my suitcase. I saw some beautiful Moroccan pottery on display at one of our hotels, but was told that it was very old pottery and therefore probably not easy available.

Poterie de Fes

Poterie de Fes

Close–up of some of the pottery. The designs were very nice but much of it looked like the pottery you can find, and probably less expensive, in U.S. discount stores. I am sure, however, that some people would disagree with me.

Poterie de Fes

Chez McDonald’s

We went back to our hotel. After Mohammed, our local guide, showed us where to buy water (we went through a lot of bottled water but it was inexpensive) and to change money, it was time for lunch. Kathy, another woman on the tour on her own, and I risked our lives crossing the street from our hotel (Kathy is fearless) to go to Chez McDonald’s–that is exactly what it calls itself. Quite a swanky McDonald’s.

Chez McDonald’s

Chez McDonald’s

Our American goodwill ambassador.

Chez McDonald’s

Chez McDonald’s

Inside Chez McDonald’s. The countergirls did not wear head scarves or Islamic dress.

Chez McDonald’s

Chez McDonald’s

The menu, mostly in English with some French. I had a Big Mac––about $3.73. I also ordered frites (French fries) and a coke. Everything tastes the same as in the U.S. but the frites were a bit on the cold side.

Chez McDonald’s

Chez McDonald’s

We ate on the patio. The patio was so peaceful, especially after going to two medinas this morning. The temperature was perfect––sunny and about 80 degrees––and we ate alongside Muslim familes enjoying themselves. We did also.

Chez McDonald’s

Traditional Moroccan Evening (See Movie)

We were offered an optional “Traditional Moroccan Evening” which included an illuminated tour of Fez, a four–course Moroccan feast, and Arab and Berber entertainment. It is difficult to take illuminated night photos while on a bus, so I tried something new. I took a video of our ride around Fez from the modern Villa Nouvelle section built by the French along beautiful King Mohammed VI Avenue all the way to the 13th–century Fes el–Jedid section. It is a long video––over 5 minutes. Go to  Movies, Morocco, “Fez at Night.” Photo: Fez at night taken from our hotel balcony.

Traditional Moroccan Evening (See Movie)

Traditional Moroccan Evening (See Movie)

After our illuminated tour of Fez, we went to the Al Fassia restaurant located in an old palace. Here, we had a four–course Moroccan dinner plus Arab and Berber entertainment. The Arab musicians were our first entertainment. I have put a video of them on this website: Go to Movies, Morocco, “Moroccan Quartet, Fez.”

Traditional Moroccan Evening (See Movie)

Traditional Moroccan Evening

More of the palace.

Traditional Moroccan Evening

Traditional Moroccan Evening

A stairwell.

Traditional Moroccan Evening

Traditional Moroccan Evening

First course, soup. Wine and mint tea were also included.

Traditional Moroccan Evening

Traditional Moroccan Evening

Plenty of the Moroccan bread called kersa––very good.

Traditional Moroccan Evening

Traditional Moroccan Evening

Second course: small dishes.

Traditional Moroccan Evening

Traditional Moroccan Evening

Shish kebob, I think lamb, was also one of the small dishes.

Traditional Moroccan Evening

Traditional Moroccan Evening

Third and main course: the famous Moroccan couscous. Its bed is couscous (semolina), then topped here with chicken, vegetables, and, I think, dates. You can make this dish using any ingredients you want as toppings. It was delicious. The fourth and final course was desert, which I didn’t take a photo of.

Traditional Moroccan Evening

Traditional Moroccan Evening (See Movie)

More entertainment: a belly dancer. I have put on a video of her dancing: Go to Movies, Morocco, “Belly Dancer in Fez.”

Traditional Moroccan Evening (See Movie)

Traditional Moroccan Evening

A magician.

Traditional Moroccan Evening

Traditional Moroccan Evening

There were three belly dancers in all. I was about to take a photo of this belly dancer and the fire sticks when my camera battery ran out. But Stuart Gay’s photo is superb. He is from the U.K. and was on our tour and is a really great photographer. He has the patience plus an understanding of his camera to take photos that I can only dream of taking. Stuart, thanks for the photo.

Traditional Moroccan Evening

Traditional Moroccan Evening (See Movie)

Berber Ahouach Dancers––Go to Movies, Morocco,  “Berber Ahouach Dancers” for a video of the dancers.

Traditional Moroccan Evening (See Movie)

Traditional Moroccan Evening (See Movies)

Last but certainly not least, a Moroccan wedding ceremony, perhaps a Berber one as the groom was a Berber, with audience participation. The beautiful bride was Kathy from our tour. I have put two videos of the ceremony on: Go  Movies, Morocco, “Moroccan Wedding Ceremony” and “Newly Married Kathy.”

Traditional Moroccan Evening (See Movies)