magiclooki.blogg.se

The documentary tries to answer the question of who is becoming rich with the Moroccan hash. The BBC has recently produced an interesting documentary about the cannabis plantations in the Riff region and the traffic of hash to Europe. Actually, according to a report by the United Nations, Morocco produces the largest amount of cannabis in the entire world, the majority of which is sent to Europe. Even though, cannabis is illegal in Morocco, the work in those plantations became the only income source to several small farmers in the region. Vast cannabis plantations are located in the Riff Mountains. I was approached time and again by dealers offering the drug.

In Chefchaouen, beyond the blue shades everywhere, the convenience to buy hash also drags attention. And, not being three explanations enough, there is also a fourth: because it looks beautiful! If the real reason why the city is blue is still controversial, the practice of painting the city blue certainly still goes on, because it helps to attract tourists. According to a third theory though, blue keeps houses cool on warm days. A second hypothesis suggests that the blue color keeps mosquitoes away. The reason for the city to be blue would therefore be religious: the blue color reproduced the sky, which in turn would make the Jewish population feel closer to their God. The question that comes to mind now is “ Why blue?” Well, the blue color was first introduced by the Jews, who settled in Chefchaouen several centuries ago, the story goes. And here’s a tip, GPS systems don’t work properly in the Medina and they are not at all helpful there. Don’t be afraid of just getting lost! It is definitely part of the experience. That’s the perfect place to marvelous at the daily life of Moroccans.

The essence of Morocco can be found in the Medinas. I believe that every Moroccan Medina is filled with a mysterious atmosphere: the many narrow streets that cross each other in a very confusing way, enabling loads of possibilities for choosing your way around.

Falling in love with Chefchaouen is easy, and it only demands walking on the maze of alleys, some of them quite steep, of its compact blue Medina. What is so special about Chefchaouen then? Quick answer: the city is entirely painted in blue! The floor, walls, doors, windows, everything is colored in different hues of blue. The Medina in Chefchaouen, differently from the Medinas both in Fes and in Marrakesh, is slow-paced, and sellers are less pushy. At least in Morocco, generally, it is a place with fairly confusing, narrow streets. In the Moroccan cities, the Medina is the ancient part of town. It really astonished me, how fantastic the landscape surrounding the road was! Around five hours later, I was already walking on Chefchaouen’s Medina. The service was convenient, the bus was in excellent conditions, and it departed without delay by dawn. CTM was the name of the bus company I travelled with (on the website of the company, you can check the time table and prices). I travelled from Fes to Chefchaouen by bus. Doors! In Morocco, each one is unique! - Foto taken by me.Ĭhefchaouen is located in northern Morocco, in the mountainous Riff region.