Getting Lost...

My more well-traveled companions here in Fés have told me many times that in order to really start to know a city, you must first get lost in it. Today, I did just that:)

Amberine and I set out for the bus station after class today to buy tickets for everyone in our group to go to Chefchaoen this weekend. According to Ameir, getting to the bus station is really pretty simple...you head in this direction make sure you don't hit that one street that he doesn't remember the name of, take a left at the water fountain (I have seen about a hundred water fountains in Fés since I got here) and you'll see a big sign that has red, blue and purple...or maybe it was green...In short, our adventure was off to a superb start! So we cross over the threshold of the institute and out onto the streets with enough money for nine tickets to Chefchaoen, which is quite a lot according to most Moroccans, and a hefty sum for anyone who chose to mug us...which we were hoping wasn't likely as nothing of the sort had happened to anyone in our group yet and it was noon.

We lucked out and bumped into Sally, a student from Leeds, who happened to know where the station was we walked there with her, spoke some mix of arabic, moroccan and french to the woman at the desk to buy our tickets, walked outside and realized that neither of us had been paying enough attention to know how to get back...perfect!!

So we head out in the general direction of the Institute, we think, and walk fast because we both do that when we're lost and because it was starting to sprinkle. We pass by street after street, nothing looks familiar...turn left, still no luck...maybe a right now? Sure! what's the worst that could happen?! Turns out, the worst we could do was get ourselves back to the Institute without having to ask for directions even once!! We were so proud of ourselves, and you should be too! Especially if you are familiar with my wonderful lack of natural talent in this realm:)

So now I can say it too...the only way to start understanding a new place is to get lost in it, I guarantee you, one way or another, you will find your way out and be more confident from the experience:)