Greetings!
More than the Berbers of Northern Morocco ever wanted, they've been protected by foreign powers. First, the Phoenicians, then the Carthaginians, next the Romans (1st Century BC) and the Vandals (5th Century AD), and finally the Byzantines (6th Century AD). Invaded, protected, invaded, protected, abandoned, invaded, protected. They survived them all, and are the basic ethnic group today throughout this area.
We strolled around Chefchaouen this morning, with Zak leading us through the maze of alleys and stairways. Never seen so much blue. Cats stretched awake, and children darted around us as we walked up and down the smooth cobblestone streets. Above the town, we found a spring which provides hydroelectric power to some of the mosques, and opens to a causeway where women wash large rugs and dry them on the roofs of the wash houses.
We drove out to the countryside to the village of Houmar where a rural family let us join them in preparing a couscous platter surrounded by lots of very personal questions. They were open and generous in responding to our interest in their lives, and their perspectives on the issues facing Morocco.
Returning to Chefchaouen, we toured the Casbah (fort) which has been used to guard the town since 1471AD. After a short nap, we participated in a discussion on the status of women in Morocco given by a local activist.
Finally, we had dinner at the Aladdin Cafe, a few blocks from our riad. Competing with our previous night's elevation above the town, and the highest quality meal, we also were treated to a bird's eye view of a mountain fire across the valley and spectacular blaze flames rizing into the evening sky.
To see all of the photos taken today, click on
Friday, Sept 13th, Chefchoauen, Morocco.
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