Crossing the Strait of Gilbraltar from Spain on a ferry boat, the tip of Africa can be seen faintly through the clouds. In just 40 minutes, the boat arrives on a different continent where the way of life changes right before your eyes.
The first stop one has to make is the border between Spanish territory and Morocco. Traffic is backed up in all directions, with little chance of going anywhere fast. Pedestrians scatter the streets, walking with distinct purpose to get to the other side of the border.
Once in Morocco, the dusty dry desert atmosphere that comes along with the connotations of what Africa is like starts to emerge. There are more trees and hills than one might expect , however.
The Medina of Fes
Nearing the city of Fes, life can be seen moving rapidly. Roads are unmarked, cars have no traffic lights to direct them, and all signs are in Arabic. It is disorderly, much different from the strict traffic rules many are used to.
In Fes, there is a medina (or marketplace) much resembling a labyrinth. A small entrance leads to corridors, each going in a different direction. It is easy to get lost. No cars are seen within the walls of the medina, simply because they don't fit.
There are many horses and donkeys being led by men, pulling carts of supplies for the various shops that live there. The space is small enough that one must turn sideways to let the animals pass.
Men and children maneuver through the medina effortlessly. Women are scarce.
The medina has a distinct smell that is hard to describe, and even harder to forget. It is almost a putrid smell -- that of raw meat that has been out too long, combined with the stench of olives and stirred up dust. Flies buzz overhead.
An escape from the smell comes easily, entering into the doorway of a natural pharmacy. A friendly face is greeting customers, speaking both Arabic and English fluently. Giant bottles of herbs and spices fill the shelves on all four walls of the square room. A remedy exists for any ailment you can think of. It smells of mint and lavender.
Men greet a group of American students as they exit the pharmacy. They are persistently trying to sell their goods, under the impression that the Americans have a lot of money -- perhaps a fair assumption.
The Medina of Meknes
Entering into the medina of Meknes, one might easily anticipate a similar smell as the Fes medina. Surprisingly, the corridors of this medina are slightly wider, though still not wide enough for cars.
It is noisier than the medina of Fes and there seems to be less of a chance of getting lost. Chickens are squawking wildly -- their feet have been cut off to prevent them from escaping and a woman weighs them each individually.
Next to the scales is a machine, which the woman sticks the chickens into to remove their feathers. They come out freshly skinned and ready for buying.
There is a restaurant nearby, where lunch is being served. Coca-Cola is a popular choice by many in the restaurant.
Big platters of fresh vegetables come out first. Many platters go untouched as tourists steer away from raw vegetables for fear of getting sick from the water they were rinsed in.
The veggies are followed by the main course. Chicken. It is spiced with curry and it is moist and delicious, despite having seen chickens die and lose their feathers beforehand.
Life in Morocco seems simpler than the life many other people know. It is refreshing to see people surviving with much less than most are used to. Morocco cannot be fully experienced in just one trip, for there is much to see and much to appreciate about a culture so different than your own.
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