Spring break this year was pretty incredible. I traveled with two good friends and we went through Southern France and then traveled to Fez, Morocco for a completely different experience. The itinerary is as follows: Aix-en-Provence (Day 1), Arles (Day 2), Marseilles (Day 3), Fez (Days 5-8), Marseilles (Days 9-10). The weather wasn't awesome, but the company and experiences were fantastic. Because I'm behind, it'll be mostly photos with just a little commentary....
First, we started in Aix-en-Provence. The home city of Cézanne, we visited is Atelier (studio) and walked around. The weather wasn't awesome, but the town was really cute.
A fountain in the main roundabout
Some trees in a park
The same beautiful trees lining a road
Then we went to Arles. Arles served as inspiration for Van Gogh and Picasso, among other great painters. Again, small and quaint and better weather. And the best ice cream I've had ever.
The Amphitheater in Arles
The plaza by l'Hotel de Ville
A view of the Rhone
And then after Arles, we visited Marseilles, where we decided to explore Les Calanques. They are gorgeous rock formations a 30min bus ride outside of Marseilles. After the fog cleared, it was gorgeous.
A view of blue skies
The clear Mediterannean
After Marseilles, we went to a completely different place: Fez, Morocco. It reminded me of my travels in Malaysia and Thailand, in some ways. But it was also a completely different experience. I had an amazing time, though it took some adjusting, and would love to go back in the future.
This is a photo of the tannery. On the far left are the white wells filled with ammonia and pigeon droppings. These are where the hides go first. Then they are put into the colored wells, dyeing the leather. Then they are laid out to dry (right of the picture). The leather drying in the sun in this photo was dyed with saffron. Generally, good quality Moroccan leather bags are made with camel, and then jackets/clothing is made from goat leather.
This is Seffarine Square, where all the copper workers craft pots, pans, and decorations out of metal.
A shop of mirrors
The inside of a Medersa (theological school)
Beautiful tile work, carved wood, and carved plaster
A cat lounging in the tranquil medersa
Sooooo many cats everywhere
A closer look at some plaster carvings
Well-presented mint tea. (Moroccan mint tea is amazing. Everywhere.)
The Medina by night, as seen from the fancy hotel where we drank tea. The medina is the center of the city, where all the shops are. It's a completely disorienting and overwhelming maze of shops.
This is a view of the ceramics cooperative that we saw on our third day in Fez. First they prepare the clay, and get it ready to sit in the sun in rudimentary tiles.
After the tiles sit in the sun, workers pound our any air bubbles and cut them into a regulation size before they sun again.
After the sun, the clay objects sit to be put in the oven, where they will be baked twice. Once before the glaze, and once after.
Then they are turned into beautiful things. Like these fountains. The "guide" that showed us around insisted on taking a photo of me with these fountains. I was not such a fan, but you can see my new bag. The shoulder bag i brought with me to France was on its last legs.
Beautiful things in the ceramics exposition hall.
Fez is also known for it's fountains. Starting with this one, and going down, this is what a walk down the main boulevard near our hotel looks like by night. First, this fountain in one of the large roundabouts.
Then a long fountain that runs along the boulevard
That breaks so people can sit and watch, or run through this area.
Then another large fountain
And the lights continue all the way to the next fountain
Which is the big one at the next big roundabout. It changes colors and different elements turn on and off. It was beautiful and calming.
And now we're back in Marseilles. I walked with my good friend from high school along the beach for about 3 hours, in which time it was damp, then it rained, then the sun came out.
Water before the rain
Monument in the rain
The sun!
The trip was amazing. I loved (near) every second of it. More later, I promise, but I just wanted to make sure I got you all somewhat up-to-date on my travels! A bientôt!
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