In my last post about Morocco, I wrote about a vivid moment from my week in Chefchaouen, one that has stuck with me ever since. I also wanted to share more of the photos. As always, each of them tells their own story, though less elaborately (for me) as with prose. I’m a writer first and foremost, but as I’ve travelled I’ve tried to improve my photography as much as possible. Chefchaouen is such a photogenic place that it was a pleasure to spend my days wandering and writing and taking photos.
As I said in the prior piece, the town isn’t all awash in blue, regardless of what this photoessay would suggest. Outside the medina the town is like many others, with neon signs and banks and straight roads. I spent most of my time inside the medina, however, lost in a reverie of colour and texture.
Here are some of my favourite photos from my time in Chefchaouen.
Table of Contents
Cobblestones.
One of the first things that stood out in Chefchaouen: the grey cobblestones against the bright walls.So much so that I wanted to see what the city looked like in monochromeBlotting out the colour, the cobblestones that stand out.In colour, the walls are the first thing you notice, shadows of a mosque reflected upon them in the sun.But stepping back a few steps pushes the cobblestones and the walls back to the forefront.Even when sheep skins are involved.
Cats.
Not all of the cats were healthy. Many fought for food in the twisted alleyways, hoping for leftovers from Eid.Cat vs. boy in a toy-off.Cat sleeping the day away.Until I woke him up, that is….Cats begging for food, the norm at any of the town’s restaurants.A kitten outside the furn (the community bakery) in Chefchaouen
Doorways and alleyways.
One of the many doorways that beckoned.Shades of blue.Every corner led to a new alley or courtyard to discover.Brass detailing on the doors.Another, less brassy but just as beautiful.Tiny hotels tucked into alleys.Loved the green against the blue.Quiet alleys.Only jalabas and cobblestones to be seen.One of my favourite doors in Morocco.
Errant goat.
Errant goat came meandering into the alleyways, only to be chased out by a frantic boy about 5 minutes later.
Colours.
The pigment is what makes these buildings as memorable as they are; sold at many of the shops along the main streets.Pigment for painting.The downside to visiting Morocco? People keep offering you olives. Yuck.Markets and movement in one of the main intersections.Moroccan tiles in one of the many colourful doorways.Running through the alleys of Chefchaouen’s medinaDried peppers.Black pepper.Scented musk tablets, used as perfume in many parts of the Middle East and North Africa.
A wider city outside the Medina’s gates.
Chefchaouen in miniature.A clear blue sky.Chefchaouen as seen from “The Source”, a waterfall above the city.
A final sunset.
Sky over Chefchaouen, a promising start to my last night in town.Sunset from Riad Baraka’s rooftop.A perfect end to my week.
