My Marrakesh

Peacock Pavilions: and signs of spring

She was worried about being a mother.
She was worried that she wouldn't know how to care for them.
How to protect them.

She was worried about what her in-laws would say, what her neighbors would say.
How they would tsk-tsk over her moments of forgetfulness.

She was worried that anything, anything, could happen at any time.
And she would be held responsible.

But in between her worries, she had those flashes
of anticipation....
of their upturned faces, of their baby smell,
that mixture of
black shining eyes and freshly mown grass ....

Oh, the blossomy air.......

Marrakech's Mama Ti Lee: or where to eat in the medina

She loved surprises.  She loved unwrapping presents.  She loved silver linings. 

She liked to walk down the twisty side streets of the Marrakech medina, away from the crowds, away from the noise, away from the bright lights.  It was there that she was likely to stumble upon treasure:  the perfect little store, the darling little cafe, the quiet little riad. Each discovery like the lacquered insides of a plain wooden box.

She was with her friend, the photographer-of-roses, when she first discovered the secret of Mama Ti Lee.  Tucked away down a narrow street, Mama Ti Lee's doors had just opened.   

The soothing greys and lavenders of the interiors were a visual break from the city's saturated reds, pinks and oranges.  There was sleek metal seating.

And a flash of yellow on an open window sill....

The  photographer-of-roses sat with Serge, the  English-speaking French co-proprietor in the cooling interior courtyard.

Then they wandered up to the roof terrace where they found cushions sidled up to low tables.  Oh, to lounge on the leather carpet with cold hibiscus juice in hand! 

But more Moroccan chic was to come......because there were beds (!) on the terrace, too, where evenings could be whiled away, immersed in talk of everything and nothing.

Cecile, the charming chef and co-proprietor made the most delicious light meal.  It really was far too pretty to eat but greedily, they ate it anyway....

And the blogging girl in boxing shoes thought the homemade granita was a particularly refreshing finishing treat.

After they left, she realized that she had forgotten to ask about Mama Tee Li, the mysterious person after whom the restaurant was named.   Hmmm...it seemed she would have to return to find out....Perhaps, you'll come too?

Mama Ti Lee Derb Laarsa, #13, Riad Zitoun Jdid, Marrakech medina, 024.38.17.52, [email protected]

Open evenings.

Marrakech: and Thomas Cook City Spots Guidebook

Eeek!  She had had a book published! 

Oh my, that pseudo-Moroccan girl clearly was prone to exaggeration.  She most definitely had not had a book published.  But she had updated a guidebook on Marrakech:  Thomas Cook City Spots, to be exact.  She was told it was on the book stands on this very day.  And she assumed that her name was in tiny letters somewhere inside. 

In addition to oodles of phone and address confirmations, highlights of the guide book updating process included: 

* Testing home made ice creams in ice cream parlors.  Demanding second tastes just to make absolutely sure of quality.  Putting only her most favorite in the guidebook.

* Loitering in gorgeous riad guesthouses, pretending to be a potential guest, meanwhile stealthily taking undercover notes

* Spending ridiculous sums of money while updating the shopping section.  Rationalizing the purchase of approximately 63 pairs of Moroccan sequined leather slippers.  Sigh.

* Sneakily slipping in a few of her own photos.  (shhh....don't tell the publishers!)

* Observing whether the snake charmers on Jemma el-Fnaa square were truly able to charm the snakes or whether the snakes had a skeptical look in their eyes.

Needless to say, it was arduous, and it was harrowing, and the blogging girl barely made it out alive.  But it was all for the good of her beloved new homeland. (Isn't this when the national anthem is supposed to start playing in the background?)

Marrakech: and a Saturday stuffing

It was one of those days in Marrakech - sunny and breezy.  Just the right sort of day to have a little lunch party in the garden.  So the blogging girl and her family invited four couples and a flock of  six children to spend the afternoon with them.

Naturally, six-year old Skylar decided to dress as Snow White.  She thought it would be enchanting to sprinkle tiny flowers on the tables.  Her prince charming -- a small blond boy named Finn -- was to be among the guests.

Roses from the garden were set in vintage Moroccan footed bowls.

And a handprinted tablecloth in pink and red was brought out of the linens closet.

The children had the open air  Berber tent to themselves.  They sat on cushions on a sequined Moroccan kilim and whispered secrets at a low table made from a huge vintage Moroccan aluminum tray.

Lunch was leisurely:  spicy briouwates (a Moroccan dumpling) with tomato and coriander dipping sauce, roasted mashed potatoes with rosemary, 6 sorts of barbequed sausages, saffron chicken and vegetable brochettes, green beans in olive oil, and arugala and lemon salad. 

And of course, there was tea and desert, served with idle chatter and laughter.

Before they knew it, it was nearly 6:00.  Children's sweaters were buttoned for the  journey home and suddenly everyone was spirited away.... 

... until another Saturday that is....

PS I have fixed my blog subscription service!  If you type your email address in the space provided in the left side of my blog, you'll find Marrakech in your email box on a regular basis:)