Awhile ago, I mentioned the MobiSud Sma3ni campaign featuring H-Kayne, Bigg, Steph Ragga Man and Khansa Batma - here’s the H-Kayne version of the poster (for some reason I haven’t seen a Steph Ragga Man poster, but the rest are around - there are certainly more H-Kaynes than Biggs or Khansas though - at least in Meknes!)

This is a poster encouraging people to vote - I counted at least four of them in Fez, but haven’t seen one in Meknes.

Speaking of voting, on Sunday afternoon I was substituting for another teacher when I heard what sounded like a marching band outside - turns out it was, sort of. The Labor Party was having a public meeting at the Toledano car dealership right down the street. During the 15 minute break, I went with some students to check it out and was invited by the owner himself to have a seat - unfortunately, I had to decline (class, you know), but nevertheless - quite exciting. Plus trumpets and bass drums!

Part two of my birthday plans consisted of splurging in Fez yesterday…Although unfortunately, we couldn’t find Zen Garden (recommended by The View From Fez) and got stuck eating disgusting fish at a downtown place called Walima (utterly NOT recommended), the rest of the day went swimmingly!

Approaching Fez, we saw a cavalcade of motorbikes racing by, followed by several stately cars and a limousine. I was too late in pulling out my camera, but we had, in fact, spotted the king on his way to Rabat…And perhaps his Saudi Arabian counterpart as well!

A flurry of Moroccan flags

And the Saudi flag flies between

Then we marvelled at all of the wonderful new fountains and renovated parks cropping up in Fez…

The beautiful new fountain with a rotating globe

And my second favorite, this bizarre starburst fountain

I admired how clean and well-kept the ville nouvelle’s grand center parks are, while Hamza griped that Meknes has been ignored by investors (although two new parks are in progress, and we’re rumored to be getting a similar fountain to the starburst)

We did a little shopping, a little shoufing, and then went to our intended destination, NausiKaa Spa where, if you recall, I spent Labour Day.

This time, I splurged on a relaxing massage.  My caretaker in the hammam, Radia, was exceptionally helpful (I suspect Hamza told them it was my birthday), even washing my hair and face for me!  Talk about being pampered.  The massage was fantastic, and I think I spent over an hour in the Jacuzzi.

We ended the day in our freshly cleaned apartment…there’s no place like home, after all.

Hamza managed to surprise me against all odds on Friday night…on the rooftop of our apartment building which, although you can’t see it, has the best view in all of Meknes I daresay.  And for the very first time, foreigners actually outnumbered Moroccans at a party of ours…not to mention this was the first party where everyone spoke English.  I’m such a nerd for paying attention to things like that.  Let the photos commence!

60-some-odd candles lined the wall.

Hamza and myself

 Our good friend Tom serenaded us

Let them eat cake!

As if I haven’t posted enough fluff lately, here’s a series of kitten photos!

LC in January, shortly after we found her on the street outside our building.

Sitting pretty in March.

Studying hard with Hamza in April.

And showing off that cat butt in May…

Last time I was in Fez (and Marrakech too, actually), I discovered the latest way of getting around…

Trailing behind the engine car are three passenger cars; the tourist train seems to run on major roads in Fez (whereas in Marrakech, I spotted it doing a loop around the Djemaa al Fna). Fortunately, I don’t think Meknes will be partaking in any of this nonsense anytime soon.

From ITP Technology:

Digital imaging and printer powerhouse Canon is escalating its presence in the Middle East by opening in-country offices in Morocco and Saudi Arabia. The vendor revealed the news to Channel Middle East at Canon Europe’s 50th anniversary celebrations in Monaco.

Excellent!  Given how poor Sony Morocco’s customer service and professionalism is, I might consider buying a Canon next time.

Photograph by Jillian York, April 2007

Djemaa al Fna, Marrakech, Morocco

From our trip to Marrakech earlier this month…

The new Palmeraie Village hotel/apartments.

La lampe magique

The new fountains in Gueliz (next to McDonald’s)

A lovely restaurant we discovered in the medina - Bougainvillea Cafe

(33, Rue El Mouassine, near Derb Chorfa, 024-44-11-11)

Mmm…tanjia…

What would a photo post from me be without at least one kitten shot?

(more…)

A man and his monkey, Asilah, June 2006

(all photos in this blog by me, unless stated otherwise)

A beautiful photoblog of a tourist’s fresh perspective on Morocco.  One of the best I’ve seen in a long time, and there’s a cat picture.