Chefchaouen

While I'm waiting for Moroccans to come back from their vacations, I visited a village in the the Rif Mountains. The name means "look to the peaks (especially two overlooking the town)" in Berber. Actually, the town has quite a large new part; but the older part seems rather like a takeoff on a village in the Greek isles. Certainly, quite an unusual setting to find in Morocco. The villagers sustain themselves through handicrafts. It seemed rather "touristy." However, I did see some of the rich agricultural land in this part of the country, called the breadbasket of the Romans. The land is dry this time of year; but when the rains start, the area greens and blossoms from January to April. Cereals are raised here, as well as oranges, olives, vegetables, etc. Some dams have been built to allow for irrigation. I saw a little mechanization-a few small-scale tractors, a Caterpillar grader by the side of the road, along with some other road-working equipment. Grazing and pasturing of sheep and goats is apparent; transportation by donkey; and some dairy cattle are visible. Given the heat this time of year, everyone knows where to find a spot of shade.