[generic travel blog]

i am gentry and this is my blog

[nomadic-state-of-mind]

fes medina 07.2015

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fes, morocco 07.07.15

armed with nothing more than a few sprigs of mint to keep the smell of the animal skins at bay, we were able to see an overhead view of the chourara tanneries, which have been producing, treating, and dying leather since the 13th century with little changes in the process, including no efforts towards restoration or shifting in different directions for production

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fes, morocco 07.07.15

views from the blue door into the fes medina, and the minaret of a nearby medresa, or quranic school

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tangier, morocco 04.07.15

colorful sights in the marketplaces of the kasbah, filled with everything you could possibly need- and a lot of things you don’t!

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fes, morocco 07.07.15

more colorful sights from inside the old city, the medina. these fabrics are woven agave silk

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tangier, morocco 04.07.15

architecture of the old city of tangier, the ‘kasbah’ including the famous cinema in the grand socco, or square. not nearly as confusing as the fes medina, and a welcome, airy alternative to the low coastlines

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tangier, morocco 04.07.15

a gorgeous coastline, showing off the strait of gibraltar as well as the faint outline of spain along the horizon. completely gorgeous, crystal blue waters of the mediterranean coupled with the lonely ramadan streets makes for the perfect mini escape

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bab boujeloud, fes, morocco 02.07.15

a last minute shot of the closed entrances to the guest palace, or palais outside of the old city. the gorgeous architecture that started in medieval times continued into the construction of this urban landscape, with traditional workshops crafting every aspect of its design, both interior and exterior, between the carved wood, mosaic tilework, and barreled vault archways that have come to be known as the typical views of this area.

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just some remarkable views from my lunch break - mezzaine fes

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fes, morocco 02.07.15

more of the jardin jnan sbil and its lucius desert flora

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jardin jnan sbil, fes, morocco 02.07.15

visiting this national park/garden right outside the gates of the medina really felt like taking a trip hundreds of miles away. the atmosphere was so lush and forested that i forgot (even momentarily) that i was in the middle of a desert. it’s open daily, and the shade provided by the tall trees and bamboo forests make it the perfect place to recline and nap, or i’ll assume so. there are several large pools and fountains, it’s actually quite an impressive display for an area open for free public use

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fes, morocco 02.07.2015

walking around the Andalusian quarter, the architecture is familiar with Cordoban styles, one of my personal favorites (and not just because it’s my area of specialty). Foreigners, especially non-Muslims are not allowed inside the mosques, so I stole a quick peek through the entranceway to see the stained glass windows that adorn the mihrab, or niche in the qibla wall, which faces Mecca and allows people to orient themselves when praying.

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fes, morocco  01.07.15

[getting-along]

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terrible camera skills ahead: taking the petit taxis back to my hotel after wandering around in the old city all morning is great. I always intend on coming out of the same gate I entered through, but so far I haven’t been able to retrace my steps on any given day. driving through the gorgeous countryside and catching a breeze through the open window (the taxis don’t have air conditioning, but that’s never a problem). I’m always anxious to see what route we’ll take back, and what I get to see along the way.

my other pictures from today are too large for tumblr, i’ll compress them down and post soon

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The only shot I could sneak inside the Musee Batha, a historical riad that is now home to a small collection of 19th century crafts from Fes and the surrounding areas. It’s no surprise it’s in the Andalusian quarter of the city

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running around the outer limits of the old city today