Medina Gossip #3506

Once again it is time for a quick round-up of gossip from the Fez Medina. Our spies have been out and about and can report that despite the weather ( wet one day, fine the next) the streets are buzzing with tourists. Local shop keepers say that the economic woes in other places seem to have made little impact on tourist spending. However a couple of the guest house owners grumbled to us that numbers were slightly down.

The good news on the horizon is the reintroduction of flights from the UK. The new flights will be from Gatwick with Atlas Blue. The other good news is that unlike the Ryanair flights from Luton that used to require checking in before dawn, the new flights leave London at the very civilized hour of 11.50 and get in to Fez at 14.40. The return to London leaves at 15.30 and gets in at 18.20. We have managed to find some one way flights for as low as 150 Euro ( including taxes) with others up to 368.

The Halloween Bash

Decision time! Two of the local cafes are having Halloween parties - Cafe Clock staff have already tried their hands at carving up pumpkins and at Fez Lounge the free nibbles and decorations are the subject of intense speculation . At the Clock, Maestro Mike has returned from his search in Spain for a Halloween outfit while the rest of us search the souqs for suitable attire. A visit to both establishments seems like a good idea. And here's what our good friend Jillian York is writing on Global Voices: morocco -halloween not just for expats anymore.

Pasquotank folks know how to carve a pumpkin

The ever-resourceful Dominick (pictured above) decided that the perfect Halloween outfit would need a great deal of research and so has been scouring the internet for advice from the fashion mavens of Pasquotank, North Carolina ( Pasquotank pop, 16 ) - though a quick check of his computer showed us he had also browsed the job offers.

Dutch delights for Halloween?

Robyn, (pictured above) was unable to decide which party to go to and which frock to wear so has headed off to Amsterdam for some Dutch Trick or Treats.

Another rumour has it that the big boss Louis da Fez is back in town for a flying visit. It is hoped he will stick around for the Halloween parties - and add some Purple Circle class to the proceedings. Another Purple Circle member, Helen Ranger, is also flying in from working in South Africa in order to frock up and front up to any party that's happening.

And while talking of the Purple Circle, Suzanna Clarke's bestseller A House in Fez is due to be launched in the United States within the next couple of weeks.

The book, which sold out in Australia, has just been re released in time for Christmas in the antipodes. The British version, though disappointingly small in comparison to the Penguin edition from Australia, has been a big hit. Fortunately the American edition will have all the photographs of the original collectors hardback edition and will be larger format than the UK version. The launch will be in New York and rumour has it the Moroccan Tourist authorities there will hold a party for Suzanna. We wish her well for the launch.

Meanwhile, up in the area around Ban Boujeloud the restoration of the Medina is continuing to impress. Around the corner from the Batha post office a small area has been set aside and a brand new fountain is being constructed. It is tasteful, stylish and certainly an improvement. Our congratulations to the Medina authorities.

According to Thami ( of the famous street restaurant "Thami") - the Bab Boujeloud work and the paving in front of his street tables should be completed within the next few months. The sign outside the Medina suggests eight.

Thami (with the Queen of the warka) gives the new work the thumb's up.

The best warka (b'stilla pastry) maker in the Medina? We have seen the kitchen folk from the top Medina establishments come to her to purchase their supplies... and her enterprise is expanding. Until recently she had to use the scales in other shops. Yesterday we spotted she has her own set of scales.

And while we are talking of micro-enterprises, did you know that more than 600,000 out of a total of one million clients in the microfinance sector in 2007 were women? Yes, this according according to the National Federation of Microfinance Associations in Morocco who announced this during a meeting of the association in Casablanca.

FNAM statistics also show that more than 20 billion dirhams ($2.26 billion) have been distributed thus far, 13 billion dirhams, ($1.48 billion) of which is invested by women in productive projects, especially in poor rural area. The microcredit sector has been developing at fast pace since the 1990`s and it is now an essential instrument in the struggle against exclusion and poverty in Morocco

High illiteracy rates, particularly between women, about 60%, are a serious constraint for their participation and ownership of businesses because they have fewer and lower options to get a job, that’s why women are more interested in micro-loans than men.

In rural areas they resorted to microcredit so as to have enough liquidity to buy a small number of goats, which she uses to produce milk and cheese, or raise rabbits, thereby generating some income and achieving a degree of financial independence.

However, in urban areas, microloans have attracted the attention of unemployed young women seeking to establish small income-inducing projects in traditional industries or by opening shops.

The recipients receive more than just money; a representative from the microcredit agency put together a business plan with the entrepreneur. They pay monthly visits to collect repayments, but also provide administrative and legal support to help ensure the business is remaining on track. Approximately 2,500 people, in Morocco, work in the area of microcredit.

Although the loans granted are small, Studies have shown that access to such loans can improve the status of women within the family and the community. Women become more assertive and confident, they come to own assets, including land and housing, play a stronger role in decision-making and take on leadership roles in their communities moreover this kind of financing partially contributes to the fight against poverty and unemployment.

Reporting for Medina Gossip: Samir, Sandy, Madam K.
Photographs: Sandy McCutcheon
Send your gossip to fes.riad@gmail.com


Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news