Wednesday April 23, 2025

We made it. Chefchouen. Suggested by my collegue Lamyae. The ´Blue City’.

Now seated on the roof terrace of a private house at the highest point of the steeply sloping old town. Tea and a good book next to me. A parasol to protect us from the fierce sun. 

Next to me a wonderful view over the old Town and the surrounding green mountains.

Why the ´Blue City’ ? Because most houses are painted, usually white, but in this town they are painted a blue-purple color. It gives it a distinct appearance.

The day has been relaxing. We enjoyed breakfast in the courtyard of the Omar Khayyam, read our books, and not until noon did we start the two hour track to the Rift mountains and our destination.

I might have offended the parking guard in Tangier. When we arrived I parked the car on the road. A guard helped me by moving another car and helping to squeeze our vehicle in. When I wanted to pay him he first refused, but as I already had the coins in my hand, and I saw he was tempted, I gave him some dirhams.

Today after I drove away, I noticed that the outside mirror was folded in. Manually I flipped it out and noticed a folded piece of paper. While I waw driving and leaving the city, Sisi unrolled the paper and discovered arabic writing. Google lense gave the translation: « peace to you. Where is the payment for the second night parking? »

If I had only known…

A winding mountain road brings us to Chefchouen, plenty of traffic circles. several police checks. Morocco begins to feel familiar…

For sunset we walk over to the Spanish Mosque, located across the valley with a view over the entire medina. It’s a popular place and the slope below the building is full of people. 

As the sun sinks to the mountain top the quiet voices and occasional laughter of the people blend in with the mountains around us. Deep down the river tumbles down amidst the rocks. 

When the sun finally disappears a small applause starts and people laugh. Well done, sun!

When most of the crowd has left we also start walking back to our local home. The town is lively. There are many souvenir and snack sellers. I think there are not many televisions here, because many children are happily playing outside in the narrow and sloping streets. Even in streets with stairs they manage to play soccer.

We retire to our room. The window is open and voices from outside enter. It’s pleasant here. Good to stay here for a couple of days.

Tisbah ala khair!