Tannery, Fes, Morocco

i walk to the tannery, not directly as it is far away, down the hill through shop-filled lanes. The smell is supposed to alert me to it's whereabouts, but it is the donkeys' laden with fresh and stinking sheep pelts that i notice first. They are unavoidable in the narrow lanes and squeeze their way through the crowds, rubbing dags and blood on people as they pass.

Two small boys lead me to a door. Up steep steps i climb three flights into a shop displaying leather poofs, folders, shoes and jackets, and walk onto a terrace overlooking the tannery. Below me men are working waist deep in vats of dyes, turning over cloth with wooden poles and spreading them in the sun. Sheepskins are drying on every available rooftop.

i take many photos, and buy a leather folder on my way out.

Walk To See The King

King Mohammed VI arrives today and the residents of Chefchaouen, in the Rif Mountains of northern Morocco, are excited. Flags have been unfurled and hung above doorways, draped from windows and strung across alleyways. The bright red national emblems, with a green pentacle in the centre, contrast against the blue buildings which are a feature of this town.

Preparations for the king's visit have been going on for days and the town square, where i usually sit in a cafe and have breakfast, is closed to the public today. The entire stone paving has been covered overnight with layers of colourful Moroccan and Berber carpets, and marquees have been erected for the king's reception.

As i walk toward the square, where thousands of people are gathering in the streets to watch the king's motorcade pass, i see this lady walking ahead of me in an arched lane, making her way to the festivities. It is a peaceful moment before stepping into the crowd.