We left the grandeur of Rabat in the morning just as the King was arriving. Street crews spent the night trimming, sweeping, and spit-shining every inch of the capital city in preparations as we headed east to visit the 2nd and 3rd century Roman ruins of Volubilis, proceeding then to Meknes and ending the day at the Riad Salam in Fes. Tired and then astonished by this grand gem, hidden behind the humble exterior, and welcomed with customary Moroccan hospitality, we ate like sultans and slept like babies.
Main Arch from the farthest flung outpost of the Roman EmpireNatural stone mosaic, still lovely after a thousand yearsMain Street, VolubilusRif Mountain range backdropWelcome to the Riad Salam FesLobby is several floors displaying traditional cedarwood and gypsum carvings and mosaics. A Riad is a house with a garden and there are four complete riads in this comlex with their own warren of roomsMoroccan welcome: artisan’s paradise of color, carvings, embroidery, ceramics. Pristine! With my own corridor, lounging sofa with mint tea and cookiesDining room set for our group of twentyDetails.Couscous for the table, served family style typically on Fridays with father doling out the portionsBeautiful craftsmanship in metal
Tomorrow we’re up at 6 and out to the Medina of Fes for the day. Full of couscous and hospitality, I’ll sign off until my adventures tomorrow. Salam.
