Rabat & Fes, Morocco- Days 9 & 10

Tuesday may have been the least eventful day thus far, but being on Kivunim every day is still long and tiring. We began the day by visiting King Mohammed V mausoleum for about 20 minutes in Rabat,

and then got right back on the bus for another long drive to Fes- Morocco's second largest city.

Though before getting to Fes we made a little pit stop in Meknes, a city with only 55 Jews. The highlight of the day may have been when we visited a synagogue where an older Jewish man who was clapping and singing “Shalom Aleichem” greeted us.

The most powerful part of the visit, and maybe one of the most powerful parts of the trip, was when we davened mincha in this shul that is no longer in use. The joy we saw on this seemingly lonely Jew’s face was very inspiring and heartwarming.

We arrived in Fes in time for dinner and spent the night hanging out, excited for our trip through the incredible souk of Fes the next day.

Our last day in Morocco was a great one. We got to see everything Morocco is known for from their leather products to their ceramic creations.

We visited Morocco’s biggest tannery dating back to the 14^th century.

We saw their beautifully detailed ceramic and metal works.

Lastly we saw how their sewed scarves and table clothes.

My appreciation for all of the above work has increased tremendously. Whether the work was tedious or simple, long or short, the hard work and in some cases minute detail required to make these truly authentic products cannot got without recognition. The stuff you see in souvenir shops may not just be junk, but the product of hard, backbreaking work.

Though, it was difficult to enjoy the day fully because of the constant heckling. But it wasn’t the hecklers; it was the way people would shoo them away like flies that buzzed in their ears. It was just brought to my attention that the hundreds of people we’ve seen over this trip struggle to make a living by practically begging for people to buy their knick-knacks.

We left the souk around 2 and drove for maybe 4 or 5 hours to Tangier where we are going to depart from for Spain tomorrow (Thursday, January 31) morning.