E CARD 1

Dear All

It is just the afternoon of the same day but I am making use while I can.

I hope evrything is fine back home. A word of reassurance would be good! Its been fascinating looking round Fes. Yes John we did get you one and heaven knows how successful we will be in getting it home unblemished. John W that is, wants one for the Datchet Morris mummers plays.

his town is a marroon taxi place. Each town has a different colour Petite Taxi and they run around all over the place.

The highlightswere the tanneries ahere I bought Ann her birthday present. That was a great experience. I got congratulated on my bargaining skilled which was a first as I have been done so many times to date. The highest level of respect - they commented that I must have been with the Berbers!

We had a lovely lunch in a restaurant hidden away in the Medina. We sank into exotic cushions. and ate soup, kebabs and cous cous. We were shown numerous artisans at work - in a pottery where the manufacture of the mosaics was fascinating - no I didn;t get anything; copper and bronze engraved trays, the aalchemist - Berber phamacy(no) This aaaaaaaaaa has a mind of its own. The kaftan and jalaby shop, woodwork; and numerous cooks. The bread is made locally in each sector of the town for the families concerned. Everyone is very pleasant and not too persistant. It all feels very safe. At every other moment a laiden donkey passes by. The streets sre cleaned 3 times a day thougfh and are remarkaably clean. Peter is resting now. We meet again at 7. We have a very long journey (500 km) tomorrow to Erfoud on the Moroccan border aaand the egde of the desert. Not sure if we will find the internet there but you never know!

I can't believe how many people are wearing these jalaby - they look like friars. Some even wear the hoods up complete with tassles on the end. Men and women. The yellow leather slippers on the men too.

The whole country is much better managed than I had anticipated though aand is really thriving? so its a happy place to be. What's the green flowered plant that there is a lot of out here growing wild can someone tell me? Its been bugging me. That will do for now. Hope to be able to communicate again soon.

Good luck for the exam tomorrow John.

Lots of love

Ruth