My Marrakesh

Morocco: Paradise found?

Dateline Marrakesh.  One more ride. One more piece of land to be seen. As we drive up, I turn to Chris and say, look at those trees. No one is there, so we find a break in the cactus that serves as a natural barrier around the land and we climb through. Olive trees 15 to 20 feet high. Olives so abundant that the branches are heavy with the weight of them. There are 6 acres of mature olive trees and 2.5 acres of open land with beautiful views of the Atlas mountains. We walk quietly through the tall grass, commenting on a palm tree here, a mulberry tree there. The land is set back from the Moroccan village nearby so it is private. A large house is in construction on the property next door and down the road Italians have built a lovely place called Africa House.

*

Driving through the village back to the main road, people are milling about in their jellabas (the long hooded cloaks worn by Moroccan men and women). Children are playing in the street. People all wave as we pass by.

*

The land is 15 minutes outside of Marrakesh and only five minutes away from the American School of Marrakesh. The main street leading back to the city is home to the Royal Golf Club and the Amelkis Golf Club, both beautiful courses where Chris hits the greens with his friends. Also on the same street leading into the city is the Amenjena hotel. Morocco’s most expensive hotel, where rooms start at $850/night and range well into the thousands. Property on the outskirts of Marrakesh is highly sought after – particularly nice for residents and visitors who prize open air living and privacy, and yet crave easy access to the city’s sights and vibrant nightlife.

Can it be?  Is our search over?  I think I might just be in love.

The Moroccan Garden

Morocco is all about outdoor living.  The weather is beautiful year round, and Moroccans know to make the most of it.  Traditional Moroccan homes in the city, called riads, open inwards and have courtyards at their heart. There you will find intricate tile work, fountains, and even trees. 

For those houses that are lucky enough to have larger gardens, planning is required.  Luxurious plantings are selected with care, and gardens are often decorated with all the attention given to a living room or bedroom.  Beds in the garden are not uncommon and can be found in the swankier generation of new guest houses. 

I have always wanted to have a beautiful garden.  While garden dreaming one day on the web, I stumbled upon British garden designer, Charolotte Rowe.  Charlotte was invited to design a feature garden at the Daily Telegraph House and Garden Fair.  She entitled it Morocco Garden.  Her work is stunning.  Take a look here.  How is that for inspiration?  For those in London, you can contact Charlotte Rowe Garden Design here. 

How about you, what garden dreams do you have?

Relentless positivism in Marrakesh

Sometimes in order to make progress and move ahead, you have to stand up and do the wrong thing.
~Gary Ackerman

Okay, we decided to try a new attitude on for size – called relentless positivism. (Doesn’t that have a great ring to it? It’s enough to make me look into motivational speaking.) We were chalking this previous Marrakesh land deal up to experience and getting on with it. We never thought it was going to be easy (then again, we never thought it was going to be this hard, either – but ‘shuddup about it already, Lenny.’).

***********

We’re back on track. We know that this piece of land in Marrakesh – the one that has our name written all over it – is out there somewhere.

***********

While the search continued, I flew back to the US for a quick business trip. When in DC, I was feted for my birthday by a group of 20 friends. I swear, I have the greatest friends in the world (Shoukran George, Ewen and Maryam for organizing. LOVED it).

***********

On my way back to Marrakesh , I took a break at Maria Noma Bliss’s studio (See here. ) and house on the Hudson river in New York. Maria lives with her genius artist husband, Jim, in an amazing, huge space. We all spent a few days painting in different corners of the studio. Maria taught me so much. I did two paintings to commemorate my children at the ages of 3 (Skylar) and 5 (Tristan). They grow so fast…..isn’t there anything that can be done to slow things down? Please email me if you have found a solution;-)

Morocco and the pervasive nature of doubt

Do you ever feel like you’re spinning your wheels?  That you’re going nowhere fast?  That no matter what you do, and how hard you try, you always just wind up at square one? 

*************

Do you ever feel so angry that you really think you would like to just hit something?  That the deep breathing techniques learned in yoga class don’t seem to be working?  That you can’t stop recording imaginary dialogues in your head in which you get your revenge on someone who has wronged you? 

**************

Do you ever feel like perhaps something or someone is trying to tell you something?  That you should see the signs because they are right in front of you?  That maybe things happen for a reason and that something was just not meant to be? 

**************

Do you ever feel so sad, that despite your best efforts, you can’t manage to quite hide it from your children?  That you cry but it doesn’t make you feel better?  That you wake up in the morning and for a split second you feel happy, but then you remember?

*************

Have you ever wanted one thing – just one thing– so much and felt so frustrated because it seemed like you were never going to get it?

*************

Have you ever been on an emotional rollercoaster? Have you ever wanted a home – your own home (is that too much to ask?) and despite all attempts, it seemed like you were not going to be allowed to have that.  Hmmmm…..I wonder.