I was in Fez in 1976 with a tour that started

in Malaga, and the guide spoke 7 languages for those representing at least that many countries. Fez, to me was a most memorial place. I was 37 at that time and loved every second of being there. I would never have gone without a guide or my mothers push (we did about 5 countries) my first time abroad. As we stood outside the old city, and were being given explanations and safety cautions (keep your eyes on the person in front of you, last week I found a lady that had got left there last year), etc. We were followed by little children who kept us with the group. We watched children in the streets making thread, unbaked bread carried to the ovens by very small girls, and the baked bread being carried back by equally small boys. The leather places were difficult from a smell standpoint, though we had all been furnished with sprigs of mint. I was astounded at the various lessons from the medina. The various trades going on were amazing, and some exquisite items were there for purchase so very cheap. Mother bought some of the hand made long dresses with ornate design and kept and used them for years. We were in the narrow walls for over 4 hours, and did not eat but some hand food from there of breads. I was fascinated. My biggest fear there might have been getting lost and left there. I would go again with more knowledge and perhaps buy a guide so I could spend more time at various places watching the arts in process and still not get lost. The most amazing thing to me happened before we got to the walls and while still outside by our bus. A man with three camels was riding by and stopped to offer to buy me for two camels. As he was speaking with our guide, in many word exchanges animated, the guide started looking at where he was pointing.. to me, and the guide spoke English to the group, and my mother telling her of the offer, and went on with the other six languages. Since this was my first trip abroad, I was mortified, and my well traveled mother said to thank him, but she (I) was not available. The entire group met this exchange from laughter to shock at how he would of made this offer. Initially, I thought it may have been a set up. That night at dinner, out of the medina, she said if he had offered all three camels she might have considered the offer moreseriously. :):)

Throughout my mothers life, she, several times

had said she should of taken his offer.

I would go back again, as it may have been one of my most unusual experiences of my life in having since been on all 7 continents. I was dressed in kaki pants and long sleeves and there

was less notice of me in the medina than in Spain except by the lone camel driver. Of interest too was upon arriving from the ferry, we were taken to an above the store place in which we exchanged money at a high rate. The parking lot was surrounded by Mercedes.