Chefchaouen, Morocco
Chefchaouen, Morocco .. Walk into the Blues
As I stepped out of our car, we were welcomed by a slight drizzle of rain. I looked up and the sky looked grey. Right across, the goliath stature of the Rif Mountains suddenly seemed like David in that intimidating bunch of clouds. For a moment, I thought the day looked ruined… Just sit and relax in the hotel! As we walked from the central square, the sun started coming out of its bed sheets, as if it had been waiting for us since morning. The drizzle stopped and things started becoming brighter. We were greeted by our guide Hameed, a lean, tall guy like most of his countrymen. I am 6 ft something, but during this trip, on many occasions, I felt short! Hameed was ever-smiling, fluent in speaking, and a master of many languages including English, French, Spanish, and a few more. After greetings were exchanged and some housekeeping instructions given, Hameed promised a great day trip. We walked a few steps on the city roads and entered through the main gate… A new world unveiled, a world painted in monochrome, and that was blue! I fell completely in awe of that color. This was Chefchaouen in Morocco, a place I had dreamt of visiting for long, and finally, that dream became a reality today. It still felt like a dream wandering through the lanes of Chefchaouen. Kind of an interstellar moment for me.
It feels like immersing yourself in the enchanting hues of blue as you stroll through the magical streets of Chefchaouen, where every corner invites you to discover its vibrant culture and breathtaking vistas. This captivating city, nestled in the rugged Rif Mountains, exudes an irresistible charm that beckons travelers to lose themselves in its serene ambiance and artistic spirit. Let the azure walls and stunning landscapes awaken your senses and transport you to a dreamy world where every step is a celebration of color and life.
Hameed tapped on my shoulder and I quickly moved back to reality. Chefchaouen is famous for its small lanes that you can easily get lost in. We chose to follow Hameed as he was also telling us about the place.
Chefchaouen was founded in 1471. The name “Chefchaouen” is of Arabic origin, “Chef,” a derivation of the Arabic word “to look,” and “Chaouen,” meaning “antlers” or “horns.” Between the two protective horns of the looming Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen thus means ‘look at the horns’, reflecting the two mountain peaks overlooking the area.
The city was ruled by Portuguese and largely by Spanish people. The Spanish influence is quite evident with houses named as “Casa” and streets as “Calle.”
The first question I had was “Why is it Blue?”
There are several theories/stories. One story says Chefchaouen was first painted blue by the Jews who landed here in the 1930s on the run from Hitler’s growing reach. Their choice of hue came from the Jewish tradition of weaving blue thread into prayer shawls to remind people of the sky, the heavens, and ultimately, God’s power.
Another theory says the walls of Chefchaouen are daubed with all shades of blue to represent the color of the sparkling Mediterranean, according to some residents.
The most logical reason is that the blue color keeps the place cool in high summers and keeps mosquitoes away!
As Hameed started moving ahead, we time-traveled from history to the present world reality. However, it appears much hasn’t changed. The city looked oblivious to the modern world, and it seemed time had stopped here. The traditional building structures painted in indigo, the quiet lanes, and blue colored steps going up and down transport you to the old world! It looked so neatly arranged as if it’s a movie set. So much so that my film producer friend, who was constantly on calls, had to take his colleagues on video call to show the city and make them realize this is how a set is built!
There was a blue door, and a vendor had arranged gift articles in a basket so beautifully that it looked like a picturesque painting! There were stairs painted in blue; it just looked out of this world. Every single step was a different frame of picture. As a photographer, this was a feast! Our cameras and phones were busy capturing every moment, every little frame.
Every now and then, the lens would capture a cat. Chefchaouen is a paradise for cats! They are lounging around the place, sitting idly on blue stairways, or wandering through the lanes of the city! I have never seen so many pretty cats in one place, and these cats are photogenic. They don’t mind posing for photos. The cats add a different charm to the frames.
Another thing that Chefchaouen is famous for is oranges. You will find orange trees in every corner and heaps of oranges lying in front of houses.
We had a good 2.5 hours of walk around the city, exploring the bylanes of the city. With the help of Hameed, we did group and solo photoshoots. On our way, we visited a couple of famous Instagrammable photo spots and ticked the touristy boxes!
After some window shopping and some real shopping for Chefchaouen mementos, we were really feeling hungry. After a quick check-in to our hotel, we rushed to the restaurant. The walk through the aisles of the town seemed never-ending. But it was worth it, because we were sitting in Cafe Triana, one of the best restaurants in Chefchaouen. On the mountain curve, it was located at the prettiest part of the road. Right across the restaurant, the valley seemed beaming with warm afternoon sunlight. Just behind our seat, a handsome singer was singing Hallelujah. It sounded so perfect for the weather! But since we were hungry as a bear, we went about the business of placing the orders. The aroma in the cafe was very infectious, and I couldn’t resist a pizza. The pizza lived up to the mark; it was freshly made, wood-smoked, and delicious! And so was the other food—skewers, spaghetti, and paella! Arguably one of the best meals on the tour! Total recommendation from my side!
We walked up the stairs, and before we went to the city gate, we checked the art gallery of Chefchaouen. It was well maintained but expectedly expensive. However, as we stepped out of the gallery, in the souk area, there was a whole street full of artifacts and momentos! The shopper within us couldn’t resist. Our shopping cart was quickly getting filled with Chefchaouen articles, and our wallets were getting empty like a scalded cat! In my life, I never dreamt of spending time in a soap shop, but the beauty connoisseurs in the group—by choice or by no choice due to the shopping lists given to them by someone dear—made me spend time getting drawn into the world of soaps and cosmetics! It was crazy! We finally properly checked into our hotel—Riad Lina, one of the most exotic and beautiful boutique hotels I have ever stayed in. It was superbly maintained and well-curated. It was run by a women entrepreneur. I used my time at the pool and enjoyed a much-needed relaxing spa treatment.
On a cold evening, you can’t miss a drink or two in the company of soothing music. The dinner was arranged well at night, and while dinner was light, the lentil soup with hot Moroccan bread was scrumptious. Soon, I crashed into bed as we had a new destination waiting for us. A day well spent!
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