My Marrakesh

Morocco: and first signs of Spring?

Dear friends,

Buoyed by your comments and emails, I headed to the library early morning, carafe of simmering coffee in hand.  I stared at the empty page and it stared back at me.  But then a most amazing thing occurred. I began to write.  And write......and write.    

Thank you for helping me look to the skies.  I am so very grateful.

With love,

Maryam in Marrakesh

Image by Agatha Katzensprung

Morocco: and if only cotton candy

Dear friends,

I am not well.  I do not mean to burden you with my problems -- you don’t come here for that --but I find myself in a most difficult situation.  I have a critical deadline looming, you see.   While that usually goads me to action -- the adrenaline spurring sharp thinking and creativity -- this time I find myself listless before the blank page.  The minutes tick by and are gone. And what do I have to show for my efforts?  Pitifully little. 

My husband, seeing me in my stupor, insisted on taking me out.  To the circus of all places!  It was our version of the Cirque du Soleil here in Morocco.  And I’m so glad he did because for that brief hour or two, I felt the weight lifted off my chest.  If you have ever been to one of these shows, you will know just what I mean   The feats of the performers!  And with no nets!  I can only imagine the training, the discipline that was required.  And oh, the costumes!  Nothing less than inspired, with a certain zen-like purity to them.  The music was complex – rather hard to describe but almost like the beguiling harmony of songbirds set to a musical backdrop strangely similar to the rustling of tall grass.  There must have been some incense because I could have sworn I smelled wildflowers.  (But then again, perhaps I was imagining things.)  Thankfully, I had my wits about me because I managed to take a picture when two of the performers were in mid-air.  Of course it can’t capture the magic of what I saw but it might give you an idea, nonetheless. 

Yours, as ever, in Marrakesh,
Maryam

PS.  And if you don’t mind, could I please ask you to send my way – even if it is just for a few moments – some strength and some inspiration to make it through this rough patch.  Because right now things are looking a bit dark here.  Thank you. 

Singapore and a Moroccan love story

A Moroccan beauty in a strange and mysterious land.  If she felt a bit out of place at first, it was only because she wanted someone to love her for her specialness.  Someone who wouldn't try to make her into something she was not, putting up ugly curtains and taping posters of kittens to the walls.  But instead, someone, who upon seeing her, would feel something like the fluttering of a sparrow's wings and would hear something like the humming of a hundred humming birds.  And who would know that he had come home. 

And that's just how it happened.  They now live together with so few quarrels that their friends are all secretly envious - but in the nicest possible way. 

It's a true story.  It was told to me by a woman named Hajar with a face like a painting who lives in Singapore.  Her website is filled with houses and apartments - each more beautiful than the last - which now spend their days in anticipation of  that knock on the door or that ring of the doorbell.  Perhaps - could it be? - it is you that they are waiting for?

But for now, let me share with you pictures of the Moroccan beauty living in Singapore who got away. 

Morocco: and photographic inspiration

Morocco is unquestionably a photographer's paradise.  Veteran American photographer Larry Broder has been under Morocco's spell since his first trip in 2003.   Indeed, when friends ask him what has changed his photography the most, Larry answers with one word, Morocco. 

It was the omnipresence of color in Morocco that had such an influence on Larry's photography.  He explains, I remember clearly the excitement of having my eyes flooded with the unfamiliar intensity of color in clothing, buildings, walls, windows, and even a basket of rags.  Everything seemed more vivid to me - - colors, lines, angles - - and it seemed that everywhere I turned, there was a photograph.  He adds, I love the sights and sounds, the light and the abstract things I can photograph there.  No other place in the world has so much color and movement---I just love it. 

Larry practices a natural light philosophy in his photography.  This means that he does not "boost" the color in the computer, nor does he use a flash.  He illustrates this example for me by referencing his photo of an old building with light streaming through the shaded roof.

Larry advises travelers and photographers to go to Morocco with an open mind and an open heart.  He stresses that the people in Morocco are very friendly, and says that he never felt uncomfortable at any time.   He suggests bringing a a short telephoto lens, as well as a wide angle lens, if possible.

You can see Larry's portfolio here, including his photographs of  wildlife and nature, as well as those from his different travels. 

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