Fés, Day 3

We opted out of the optional group activities to do our own thing. First stop was the American Fondouk. This interesting veterinary hospital is for donkeys, mules and horses--the working animals of Fés. The service is free because the owners rely on these animals to survive themselves and are generally barely managing. The hospital was started in 1927 by an American woman. The current director is Moroccan, did his residency at Purdue, and is the only equine surgeon in Morocco! We watched him do an ultrasound on a colicky horse, then "met" the other animals. The donkey is almost recovered from an injury and will be going home (and back to work) in another day or so. Interesting and inspiring.

Then back to the medina to walk through at our own pace. It was less crowded, apparently because it's a holiday. Much more enjoyable! Nice lunch at a small cafe, where the water to wash your hands is poured from a pitcher by the staff. Then to the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts. Interesting small museum that started with examples of the different kinds of wood, tools and the different kinds of objects historically made in Morocco including everything from simple spinning wheels to ornate bridal thrones, shelves and more.