Spain, Gibraltar and Morocco

A trip from March 24 through April 12, 2008

Fes
	Fes is the third largest city in Morocco, about a million people. It dates to 789, and the University of Al-Karaouine was founded in 859. That makes it the oldest continuously operating university in the world. This picture is the front of the Royal Palace in Fes, one of several palaces across the country.
	This castle, Bab Ftouh, I believe, overlooks the city.
	This is a view of Fes from the Bab Ftouh castle. The green roofed buildings are the University. It is reported that there are 365 minarets in Fes. Also, part of the city wall is visible in the distance.
	Just entering the medina. The medina of old Fes (Fes al Bali) is free of cars and trucks. In fact, this medina is believed to be the largest urban car-free area in the world. I would not venture in here without a guide. Incidentally, the hat known as the fez was originally made here, and the characteristic dye came from a berry indigenous to this region.
	At various times, Fes had a significant Jewish population, and they had their own neighborhood. This is the interior of an old synagogue.
	Within the medina, we have the souk, a vibrant street market. This is one of several poultry departments. The chickens are all live and hobbled.
	This was one of the more formal merchants, off the street. Lots and lots of olives for sale here. I missed photographing the nougat for sale, swarming with wasps.
	This is the prime mover in the medina, a donkey. This one more or less ran me down five seconds after the photo was taken.
	The leather tanneries in Fes are amazing. One of the materials used for tanning is pigeon dung. It is extremely high in ammonium nitrate and extremely low in cost. Of course the leathers are dyed and dried here, too.
	The hides are worked by hand and foot.
	Within the medina, there are several mosques and schools. This is the forecourt of one of those mosques.
	The entry to the forecourt above has a decorated anteroom.
	A commodities trading center from the middle ages has now been turned into a Museum of Wood. The old woodworking tools and products, both practical and decorative, are on view here. On the right side of the picture, you can just barely see an iron balance that ties back to the building's trading history.
	Walking along the alleys of the medina, you are frequently surprised by elaborately decorated doors, windows and panels, like this one. All in all, Fes was the most exotic site on our trip.

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