winifredcreamer

Palace Central, called Sintra

So far, we’ve only spent one day in Sintra, making inroads on a single palace, the National Palace of Sintra. The Palace dates from the 14th century and has been updated and remodeled over the centuries. The ceilings appear the oldest style, painted boards, yet what boards! There are magpies, swans, mermaids and a fleetContinue reading “Palace Central, called Sintra”

Lisbon Sights

We had a whirlwind week, splashing through the rain and ducking into cafes to avoid the worst of the downpours as we visited a variety of places with our visitor, Peggy. In Lisbon, we began at the “Taste of Perdition” and Thieves Markets, both of which might have been better without rain. Despite the unprepossesingContinue reading “Lisbon Sights”

Welcome to Portugal

We landed in Portugal after a long layover in Casablanca, but little the worse for wear. Here’s Lisbon as we landed. The bridge that looks like the Golden Gate is the route to our house in Cotovia. The tower in the center of the photo is topped by a giant Cristo statue. Stayed overnightContinue reading “Welcome to Portugal”

Morocco highlight reel and a few things that are good to know.

Morocco Highlights Souk hebdomadaire/weekly market/outdoor souk These markets under tents are sprawling, temporary tent cities and a great slice of life, showing what Moroccans purchase. NB: We were warned that pickpockets frequent the souks, though we did not have trouble. The medina of any city. The medina of Fez and of Marrakesh are the bestContinue reading “Morocco highlight reel and a few things that are good to know.”

A few more sights from the neighborhood

Young people are everywhere, here are some hanging out at a local fountain (water tap). What is education like in Morocco? Are there after school activities or part-time jobs available to young people? Is an after school job considered a good thing or a stigma? It’s clear I have a lot to learn about Morocco,Continue reading “A few more sights from the neighborhood”

Ceramics in the El Noqbi neighborhood

Lyra and I wanted to look at ceramics and found a recommendation to visit the El Noqbi neighborhood on the northeast side of the medina. Art Naji is probably the best known spot, partly because it is so visible on googlemaps. There are many workshops that sell pottery on the streets that radiate out fromContinue reading “Ceramics in the El Noqbi neighborhood”

The Glaoui Palace

A peculiar sight in the Fez medina is the Glaoui palace. The lavish home of a pasha of the early 20th century, the Glaoui family sided with the French and were stripped of all their properties when Morocco achieved independence. For reasons that are completely mystifying, the family palace in Fez has lain unused forContinue reading “The Glaoui Palace”

Our last week in Fez

So many loose ends, so little time. We took a couple more of the walks in the guidebook, “Fez from Bab to Bab.” We passed a tassel seller. One of the walks took us through the Jnane Sbil, a beautiful garden near the Royal Palace. This month is perfectContinue reading “Our last week in Fez”

Chefchaouen, a blue city

There isn’t much to do in Chefchaouen, other than admire the lovely blue color painted on many buildings. There is a mosque that can be visited after an uphill walk, a waterfall, and a walk downhill from the waterfall along the wall of the medina. You can stroll in the medina admiring the walls, havingContinue reading “Chefchaouen, a blue city”

Souk Hebdomadaire, Weekly market in Azrou

The same day we visited the macaques (see previous post), we stopped at the souk hebdomadaire in Azrou. This is a traditional weekly market where vendors put up tents or canopies and sell all kinds of goods. A lively functioning market has to deal in goods people really want and in Azrou that ranges fromContinue reading “Souk Hebdomadaire, Weekly market in Azrou”