My Marrakesh

Dar Qawi: or a tale of where to stay in Essaouira

We're back in Marrakech now.  Back in the heat.  Sigh, melting.  Thinking about our days spent at a little 4 bedroom courtyard house in cool, breezy Essaouira, Morocco.  Dar Qawi,  owned by lovely Kia and managed by charming Jean Louis.

A few small details....

 Passementarie on a hand carved dresser

 A reflection in a window:  dramatic Moroccan light fixture in a bedroom.

The prettiest pink embroidery on a Moroccan cushion

Oh! A very fancy towel bar.

A tiny potted succulent garden on the roof terrace.

An oversized bird cage with almost real birds in the downstairs lounge.

A fanciful Moroccan lantern in the foyer.

Arched Moroccan doors in the 2nd floor arcade.

A family of camels to take you far into the Sahara desert........

 A handcrafted mirror.  A visiting girl from Marrakech ....

Dar Qawi, to rent in its entirety for 4-6 people
Essaouira, Morocco
http://bit.ly/s1Qy6
Contact Kia to make a reservation: kia@worldrise.freeserve.co.uk

Somewhere near Safi: and a salty little tale

This past weekend, they had made tracks and headed with friends to the Moroccan coast, a three hour drive from Marrakech.  

They brought only the bare necessities.

Their plan was simple: to play. And play some more.

They ran in the waves.

They practiced jumping high in the air (handy in joyful moments).

They did impressive tricks. They built castles and didn't even mind when they couldn't live in them. They caught the wind with handmade wind-catchers. But mostly they gazed at the ocean. They thought about how it was so big and how they were so small. Then they remembered that their problems were even smaller. At night in bed, her husband asked, What's that noise? She whispered, It's the ocean. Oh, he said. And he fell fast asleep.

* Many thanks to the Guardian and sweet Benji Lanyado for mention of my Yemen photos here.

The Moroccan Atlas Mountains: and a tiny shopping tale

She was driving in the Moroccan Atlas Mountains on assignment.  Her head was full of important questions.  Questions like, Are programs to support local government helping make people's lives better?  How can villagers be  a part of the decision-making that affects them? And...[Oh dear] Would she be late for her interview with the governor? 

That's when she saw them.  The scarves. 

One after another, fluttering in the breeze. 

She was right on time for her meeting with the Governor.

He complimented her on her scarf.

*

PS Speaking of the Atlas Mountains, check out this.  Thanks Jay!

Marrakech: and a tale of requited love?

It was early, very early but she was up.  She checked her email.  That’s when she saw it.  The subject line read:  Maryam, Please help.

 She was wary.  But she clicked it open anyway.  Just in case.

 It went like this:

 Dear Maryam,

I am sorry to bother you but I thought you might be just the right person to help me.  I am taking my girlfriend, Maude, to Marrakech in mid-February.  It’s a surprise.  It will be an even bigger surprise because I plan to ask her to marry me on Valentine’s Day.  I have never been to Morocco before and I was wondering if you could suggest someplace romantic where I could propose to her.  She loves nature, if that helps at all.  Is there somewhere, perhaps out of the city?  I could rent a car.

 Thank you for any help.  You were the only person I could think to ask. 

Cheers,

James

 

The blogging girl blinked at her computer.  Then she began to write.

 It went like this:

 Dear James,

Little did you know that you have reached Morocco Cupid Central.  Thankfully, my caseload is light today, and I would be pleased to help.  I think Cascades des Ouzoudes -- the waterfalls a little over an hour from Marrakech – might be just the ticket.

There’s a pretty path winding down to the waterfalls. You know, the kind made for lovers.

You’ll want to hold Maude’s hand when walking over the tricky parts.

 At the base of falls there are flower-clad boats for hire.  You’ll find the fellas that drive them napping in the sun.  Just tickle one of their feet and offer 50 dirhams -- that should do the trick.

Oh so pretty.  I'm sure Maude will be pleased.

Now your heart will likely be pounding at this point, James, and so do your best not to fall into the water. 

Just take a deep breath and venture out into the little lagoon. 

That might be the time……. to pop the question. 

Don’t forget to tell her that she's the loveliest girl you’ve ever known (girls like that sort of thing) and that you would be the luckiest boy, indeed, if only she would be yours………..

James, not to be all business-like but I would appreciate it if you could write back to provide Maude’s response.  We collect that sort of data here at Morocco Cupid Central.  Your case # is 108.

 Wishing you both all the happiness in the world,

 Sincerely,

Maryam, the Cupid of Marrakech