Saturday, May 23, 2015

Fez and The Leather Tanneries, Morocco


So exotic.. 

Fez, Morocco opened my eyes..

Old Medina, Fez, Morocco

To a world so different..

Sunset at the Old Medina, Fez, Morocco

Like being in a movie..

Transportation, Donkey, Fez, Morocco

Back in time where donkeys still transported goods..

Bread, Fez, Morocco

And breads (we ate!).. were stacked and carried this way :o

Old Medina, Fez, Morocco

Where car-free narrow streets of the old medina made me lug my luggage around..

Old Medina, Fez, Morocco

And stressed me as I pushed my way through markets and crowds..

Dar Gnaoua, Fez, Morocco

To get into our haven of a beautiful riad.. called Dar Gnaoua..

A traditional Moroccan house with a garden or courtyard..

Dar Gnaoua, Old Medina, Fez, Morocco

And a roof deck overlooking the old walled quarters..

Royal Palace, Fez, Morocco

But tourists.. Ahh.. Snaps us back into reality at the Royal Palace..

Borj Sud, View of Old Medina, Fez, Morocco

And the fortress at Borj Sud..

Old Medina, Fez, Morocco

Overlooking the old medina..

Craftsmen and Pottery, Fez, Morocco

And again.. Tourists (like us).. Disturb handsome craftsmen at work..

Artisans and Pottery, Fez, Morocco

Painting pretty traditional tajine pots..

Pottery, Fez, Morocco

And creating handmade potteries..

The Blue Gate, Fez, Morocco

Back to our unrealistic life.. Through the famous Blue Gate of the old medina..

Tanneries, Fez, Morocco

Many more steps.. And here..

Where life before Prada was conceived.. The leather tanneries..

Tanneries, Fez, Morocco

Where skins of dead animals were treated and dyed.. So stinky and smelly..

Those leather purses and jackets didn't come from glamorous pasts after all ;)

Tanneries, Fez, Morocco

Needed some fresh Fez air..

That sprig of Mint leaf made me breathe ;)

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Before Fez, we were in Casablanca, Morocco

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

What Keeps Me Going


10 months ago, I started sharing my travels after my friends who believed in me, kept pushing me to do so.

4 months ago, I started working and juggling gym, nights out, house chores, wife duties, and blog posts. It has been hectic, and the blog posts get sacrificed.

2 months ago, I received a message from my friend that she painted one of my pictures from Cruising in Malta. She said she was inspired. 

But you know.. I was even more inspired! :)

"Your painting is beautiful, Cindy! 
Thank you :)
Keep painting, and I will keep writing. 
Love, Jamie"

Painting of Malta by Cindy Hernandez
St. Julien's, Malta by Cindy Hernandez

Check out the original picture here: Cruising in Malta


Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Casablanca, Morocco


Just a day in Casablanca, Morocco..

Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco

Not much story to tell..

Casablanca, Morocco

Just sharing their pretty Moroccan restaurant..

Casablanca, Morocco

And what they are very proud of..

Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco

The largest mosque in Morocco and Africa..

Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco

The 7th largest in the world..

Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco

And the tallest minaret in the world..

Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco

The Hassan II Mosque..

Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco

Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco

Shiny on a rainy day..

Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco

Very intricately designed..

Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco

Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco

Inside and outside..

Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco

Granite columns and glass chandeliers..

Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco

Carved wood ceilings and marble floors..

Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco

..and beautiful mosaics :)

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