Tangier time

We've whiled away another breakfast hour looking over the bay and beyond to Spain, and of course settling the problems of the world.  Weather here has been glorious, sunny, low humidity, sea breeze.  Yesterday morning we spent  at the American Legation museum and talking with the director, Jerry Loftus, who is full of great ideas and stories.  Then long walk up to the high point of the kasbah, viewpoint over the straits and wandering back thru the medina.  Tangier is quite advanced with posted maps and walking tours, but the little alleys don't seem to bear much relationship with the map. So we wander and ask directions...

Now Marge and Elizabeth are going out to rent a car, while Ed, Susan and I shop for picnic supplies.

.....she might be in Tangier....

Actually there are still 4 she's and one he. It has been great fun to hear Phyllis and Marge reminisce about how different this city was when they lived here, right after the war. It was an International Zone, and way smaller. We walked along the beach their dad took them to before breakfast when they lived in the Rif Hotel, which we also passed. Some stuck their toes in the Mediterranean. I have to add another video from Chefchouaen. We became very fond of our host Ben at our Riad Dar Gabriel. He showed us this publicity ad for the town, and two of his daughters whom we met are featured: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq8dB0pUYNw

Susan says hello

Today we leave for Tangier.  It seems incredible that we have seen so much.  The contrasts are amazing.  Montezuma got me a few days ago but I recovered and all is well.  Enjoy Anita's pictures.....if you look at the "camel train" I am the end of the train!  Time for breakfast.  Hi to Marietta and all of you who are reading.
Susan

Leaving Chefchouen

What have we been doing?  Lots of walking, up and down hill. Sitting on our sunny terrace, stargazing, exploring endless alleys in shades of blue. Ed took a long hike, while others climbed the steep hill behind town to a modern hotel perched on a ledge.  I had suggested there might be wine to be had, so had an enthusiastic following.

A weekend in Chefchouen has been an interesting look at how this Muslim society is changing. Young folks out enjoying life as couples, or mixed groups.  Females wearing headscarves but not fully veiled.  Young families out together. We had nice interactions with Moroccan tourists visiting this city, taking their pictures with their cameras and discussing museum oddities. There were kids all over, buying candied apples and Rif straw hats, posing for group pictures...just like American tourists.

Post Morocco Day 2

I'm home for almost two days now and I already miss seeing the High Atlas Mountains, the small nomadic herds of sheep on the rocky hillsides and listening to the banter in the medina. I concentrated on pictures from our visit to the Nomad family high in the Atlas Mountains that day and remember the faces of the children we met who were so happy to get the shoes we had bought them - if only we had remembered that socks might be needed too. So today I went on shopping trip one for our little adopted family. We now have socks for children and adults, hand lotion, walsh cloths, bar soap, and a nifty red soccer ball. Later this week I will focus on clothing - t-shirts, gloves, perhaps some long sleedved shirts, and hats. These are some of the faces we met. Anita

I made it home today after what seemed like such a long flight. After bouncing down the runway on our landing at JFK, I can say that we were finally home. I took a bit of time to download some of my photos and relive such a memorable adventure. It seems that even though you have been to a place before, you look at it through different eyes each time. I shall try to post a couple pics of the day as I go through the journey again - this time on my computer. Washington was 62 degrees today and the cherry blossoms are brilliant pink! Anita

Chefchaoun

Here in this very picturesque town on the mountainside we 5 have the 3 rooms on the terrace. The view over the town and mountains is fantastic.  It's also very cold and we slept under heavy piles of blankets. Remembering that we got warm in the sun yesterday, I have on all the clothes I brought, and will postpone a shower til afternoon.

We walked through the town to the "source" , clear mountain stream that feeds a public laundry area and continues down the edge of town. A path across the stream leads around the mountainside and up to a small mosque with great views. On our way back Elizabeth recorded the late afternoon call to prayer.  I've never heard it like you do here, echoing from the many mosques in this town, which is in a bowl sort if shape.