Morocco Moments #5: God’s Bridge, Figs, and a lot of Writing
Subject: #5: God's Bridge, Figs, and a lot of Writing
Date: Sunday, 29 June 2025 11:57 PM
Hi lads,
Sitting on a bus here (with blessed AC in this 36-degree weather). Just left Chefchaouen and am on my way back home to Rabat via Tangier. I am listening to every rendition of Leaving on a Jet Plane that is on Spotify (there are 6) to find my favourite version. I’ll let you know later what I decide on.
The views out the window are phenomenal. I am so grateful to have seen as many beautiful places as I have yet the magnitude of the mountains never fails to leave me awestruck. The rolling hills covered in dry, golden grass and studded with muted green olive trees and the occasional white house. In the background there are craggy cliffs and just now we passed a brilliant turquoise dam. It’s so beautiful, so beautiful, so beautiful. The cliffs remind me of Dubrovnik.
The landscape is green and gold :D — my favourite colours.
Update on the Missing Phone
Arghh this age old topic - hate it - but people always tell me sometimes you need to do things you dislike. I visited the police station again and went to the last location I got a FindMyiPhone bleep from in Salé with them. Went to two second-hand phone sellers in the area but didn’t find it so I’m going to have to buy one soon IG. Traversed the city in the back of a police van… hope I don’t have to do that again.
To focus on happy things, of which there are plenty, I’m going to instead tell you all about my Chefchaouen trip. It ties with Essaouira as my favourite city - one being beachside, the other mountains - and I don’t know how I can ever pick between the two. I love them both and live in a city.
Chefchaouen
Known as the Blue City, because basically the whole Medina is painted blue, Chefchaouen is unique and beautiful, nestled in the Rif mountains (North Morocco). Again I travelled with the other Princeton interns, and we rented an apartment. It’s lovely having the option to do stuff together but not the requirement. We all seem to have similar passions and like to hike, eat, sleep, be outside, play cards… it works well.
In Chefchaouen, there were fig, orange, and cumquat trees lining the streets adding a pop of colour to the already saturated landscape. I discovered that I actually like figs!!! Bought them from people selling them from little buckets around the streets. And the shops were so cool and I love chatting with the store owners about their stuff and city – one even gave me more figs! I realise I’ve become the person I used to be equal parts in awe of, and annoyed by, and I’m not mad about it.
It was a great weekend and yesterday was the best day of the trip so far — a trip to Akchour to explore the waterfalls.
Akchour God’s Bridge trail.
God’s Bridge
Honestly, I don't really know how to write about the day. I took A LOT of photos though, and 12 minutes of video footage that I may or may not turn into a mini-movie depending on how much free time I have this week. That will show it a lot better than my words.
But for now, my words can at least provide a play-by-play.
Yummy breakfast at a bakery
Grand-taxi Chefchaouen to Akchour
Quick coffee overlooking beautiful mountains (because I love coffee & in exchange for using the bathroom)
Walk along river, constantly amazed by the beauty and the little restaurants with tables perched in the shallow flowing waters.
Arrival to Pont de Dieu along a very treacherous bridge (Love travelling where safety hazards are way more relaxed than in Aus and US — adrenalin is fun!) The landmark was a carved-out rock bridge over the river some hundred metres in the air formed by erosion and tectonic action. It was pretty cool, but my favourite views were of the river cutting through the gorge and the vibrant green walls, pink flowers and blue water — picturesque.
Swim in river (it was a hot day and cold water)
Lay by the river drying off waiting for lunch
DELICIOUS tagine in the middle of the river. Somehow the best yet from such an unexpected place.
Walk back + jumping into water
Grand taxi back
Brief relaxation time
Walk to the Spanish Mosque for sunset (with half the city)
Ate Chinese takeaway in the dark on the terrace. As good as Moroccan food can be, we mutually agreed on how badly we missed those Asian flavours.
Most delicious tagine along the Akchour river trail.
ART
It feels like I spent my whole week writing or editing my videos — every free minute I had. Is writing art? Is photography art? Is video-editing or content creating art?
I think it is — anything where you are creating something for enjoyment or appreciation has to be considered art, surely. Because I’ve always been artistic, just never an artist. I realise now, as I devote hours to writing this and editing my videos and photos, that I am making art. That makes me an artist. Maybe everyone is an artist.
So, I hope you enjoy my art and that as I bare my soul it is met with love and humour.
My time in Morocco is more than halfway through and soon I will be coming home, finally! It’s funny how I can miss you all, my bed, my food, my dog, immensely, and also relish my time here. I love it all the more perhaps because it’s got an expiration date.
*Circling back, the song rec of the week is Leaving on a Jet Plane by John Denver. I’ve settled on John Denver as the best version because Frank Sinatra’s is a little slow. I also like The Macaron’s Project’s rendition because of the acoustic quality and the female voice.
Thank you for reading my blog.
Love from Morocco,
Emma
