FROM CHAOS TO TRANQUILITY

When we were preparing to leave Fes, we knew we had to head somewhere with a strong sense of peace and calm for a few days. After a little research the choice was easily made, a small town in the Rif Mountains called Chefchaouen.

A view of Chefchaouen from a hilltop mosque just outside of town. As I write this blog entry the sunny day has all of a sudden turned into a blizzard and the local guy at the computer next to me just mentioned how it hasn't snowed in town for over ten years.

Chefchaouen is a beautifully designed city with blue washed walls on the buildings which is a leftover design relic from the years when it was a safe haven for Jews escaping persecution in Spain. The skies and climate are constantly changing in the Rif, from sunny and blue one minute, to dark, gray and wet the next.

Yesterday's climb took us to the snowline of the Rif, a three hour hike up a rocky canyon with plenty of scrambling and beautiful views.

The most familiar view we had all week was in our suite at the riad Dar Terrae, an Italian-owned and operated guesthouse high in the Rif. Is that not the coolest fireplace you've ever seen?

The three day escape to the mountains has now turned into a solid week, and our time spent walking in the hills and sitting for hours in front of the fireplace with our books is almost up. We will head out of town in the morning to begin our southward journey toward the Sahara.

Take care donkey lovers!