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CHEFCHAOUEN, MOROCCO

4/11/2014

10 Comments

 
Towards the end of this day, we arrive in a place of fantasy, a magical Arabian Knights storybook town in the Rif Mountains of northwest Morocco.  This is Chefchaouen, also known as the “blue city.” Many buildings here are washed in every imaginable shade of blue: cerulean, azure, cobalt, sapphire, indigo and cyan, and my eyes are dazzled as the colors change with the sun’s light and shadow.  The contrast of a green plant, a yellow woven blanket, an orange tabby cat, or a crumbling terracotta wall against this background of blue, are stunning!

The town was founded in 1471 by Moorish exiles from Spain, and the blue-glazed buildings are a tradition that came from the Jews who sought refuge in this mountainous retreat during the Spanish Reconquista in medieval times.

We drive to the center of the medina, then porters help us carry our luggage through serpentine lanes, up the hill to our guest house, the Riad Lina.  We ring the bell at a nondescript doorway, and enter into a lovely retreat that will be our home for 3 nights.  There’s a tranquil indoor pool and three floors of rooms, each different, each decorated in indigo and white with colorful Moroccan rugs on bare white floors.  The rooftop terraces feature several sitting areas where we are served our breakfasts, with views of the entire town spread out below us.

This is one of those times when pictures are worth more than words.  Welcome to the Blue City of Wonder!
10 Comments
Jon Clemens
4/14/2014 01:02:00 am

Oh no! You aren't thinking of repainting your house blue when you get home are you? Nice pictures,... it's almost like being there.

Reply
Jon
4/16/2014 03:13:59 am

No, not going to paint my house blue, but it sure looks great here!

Reply
Cheryl
4/14/2014 01:34:50 am

Wonderful photos! I've never seen so many shades of blue, really stunning and lively. I wonder if Chefchaouen was the inspiration for the smurfs?

Reply
Cheryl
4/15/2014 09:54:19 am

I fully expected that you'd reply with a Smurf analogy. I was actually thinking of making this reference in my post (really), but decided it would degrade the ambiance. Was also thinking of saying "I have the blues today" - - so many possibilities!
In Fez now. Will send you a photo of a decapitated camel's head soon. XOXO

Reply
Den
4/14/2014 02:08:53 am

As Pepe Lomoco said, "Come wiz me to the Kasbah".

Reply
Den
4/15/2014 09:50:48 am

Who was Pepe Lomoco?

Reply
Julie
4/14/2014 09:29:04 am

Stunning Chris! I know you've got great subjects over there, but you really have a eye! Some are so personal, I can almost feel I'm there too.

Reply
Julie
4/16/2014 03:17:14 am

Thanks, Julie! Yes, great subject matter here; unfortunately many Moroccans don't like having their pictures taken and will let you know before you can even get off a shot. Luckily, our guides will often schmooze with the locals & play with the kids, which makes for great opportunities. And sometimes I just hold my camera at waist level and shoot from the hip to see what I can get. More to come. xoxo

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linda kastner
4/15/2014 12:31:27 am

Absolutely magical !!!

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Seth Hill link
11/11/2022 02:05:33 pm

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    "I cannot be awake, for nothing looks to me as it did before. Or else I am awake for the first time, and all before has been a mean sleep."   
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    "In the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. 
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    We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal."  
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