No luggage yet, the airline had informed Rani that it will arrive in Fes tomorrow. Another day in Mom’s sweats, mismatched scarf and yoga shoes.
Early in the morning, a hired grande-taxi took us to the Roman ruins of Volubilis. This was once a thriving city built over a previous Carthaginian settlement in 3rd century BC. The Romans left around 3rd century AD. The area was also destroyed heavily by earthquakes in the 4th century and in 1755. We were the first visitors to arrive at the site, giving us a lot of freedom to explore in our own fashion.
Columns of every order were visible here, and I struggled to remember the names of each one from art history… (Corinthinan, Doric, Ionic…?)
Mud covered most of the grounds, so it was easier to travel through the site along the walls of the ruins. We learned later that that was forbidden, but the caretakers did not seem to enforce it. Dad’s conduct was even worse; he jumped right into the detailed and delicate mosaics of the ruins. He insisted the rope barring entry was meant for tourists entering from the other side of the mosaic only…. (we can’t take him anywhere).
The site, with soaring arches against the beautiful Moroccan countryside appeared to be well preserved considering the climate.
After leaving the Roman ruins, we took a quick drive to the small, sacred town of Moulay Idriss. This town was founded by the great-grandson of Muhammad and is a location of religious pilgrimage for many Moroccans.
Unfortunately, at this point, my stomach began to seek refuge from persecution from the demons of either food/water poisoning or delayed stomach flu.
Our guide and driver led us up through narrow streets towards the main mosque and mausoleum of the mountainside town. Outside of the mosque, and elderly clerk with a gentle smile greeted us and agreed to take us through a tour.
