Chefchaouen

ladies do not wear shorts!

We caught a bus there, it took forever, but all I can say is go, and stay for a while.. we arrived at a hostel next to a hamam near the central ‘plaza’ at the top of town and just watching the sunset over the mountains drained all my worries away.. I can’t remember how long I stayed but I was sorry to go..

and say hi to the ‘hat man’ on the corner up the hill from the centre of the town.. he can knit you a hat while you wait.. mine is still in one piece too and very welcome in the cold December night..

possibly one of the greatest spots on the planet

sitting in front of the kasbah

stoned

just looking at the tree

the big beautifull tree

with a hot cuppa tea :)

I got about a quater of the way but my Fiance and a canadian guy continued, here is their story -

So I went on with avi and we ended up walking for 4 and a half hours, it was an absolute killer as there was no shade, we got to the top of three mountains and met some kids who tried to sell us tree branches, so I gave them a stick of lip balm, I showed them how to use it, so i supose there are some mango smelling mountain kids with goo smeared all over there faces today. We were going to head down when a four wheel drive drove by and we flagged them down and hitched the bumpiest ride ever, the four and a half hour walk was over in about 25 minutes. when we got out avi accidentally smashed the back window of the truck and tried to find out how much it would cost to fix, he ended up giving them 20 $us and 20 dirhams, he told me after they left that he was thinking about bartering, but you arent really in a good position for it after smashing someones window.

We went to a reastaurant called the kasbah almost every night, the food was pretty cood at an awesome price. The guy who owned the joint (Mohemed) was amazing… He could talk to 4 groups of people in 4 different languages at the same time, yet he could never get our food order right. The guys there play bongos at ten, they are all amazing players

Just some shopping hints if any of you come here for a holiday.

1. Dont express interest unless you are REALLY interested in buying something. Once they give you a price, you will find yourself bartering even if you dont want it, and then once you get the price down it is hard to say no.

2. Dont sit down in a shop or take tea or any other drink they offer you, once you are comfortable in their place they have a one up on you. And you might find a mountain of unfolded carpets between you and the door.

3. If you really want to barter, always look offended at their first price. This way they will be ready to bargain!!

4. Work as a team if you can! Two people have more chance of messing with one dudes head.

2003

i cannot praise it enough…serene, colorful, excellent food …all top notch. i didn’t want to leave. i really hope to go back some day…

this place was a lot of fun. I hiked up in the two peaks on either side of the town. amazing.

AMAZING. this is truly one of my FAVORITEPLACES IN THEWORLD. i was truly blown away by how amazing this little town really is. the people were so incredibly friendly. its so beautiful. everything is blue and white. the streets are this incredible maze of a place. everyone welcomed us with open arms. really, truly, amazing. i want to go back.

granted, I only went to fes and casablanca, but chaouen was beautiful and cute and the people were ridiculously kind and welcoming. great food and hospitality, great setting and views…great place.