marrakech - summer in spring

Marrakech - 29th of March - 37 degrees celsius - 23099 steps

Breakfast on the roof terrace at Chambres d'Amis

Check-in in the beautiful balcony room chambre cinq, room with a view

Morning walk in the medina

Say hello to Aisha on Place des Epices

Coffee & tea break at Cafe Atay

Looooooovely lunch at La Famille at the VIP table

Siesta at Chambres d'Amis (because it was a super short night)

Drinks on the roof terrace at the Djemaa El Fna, with spectacular sunset during iftar

Funky dinner on the roof terrace at Shtatto with harira, fresh salads and virgin mojitos. Their music is a mix of deep house and lounge with African and Arabic influences. Sitting still is impossible

shukran caro

I recently posted about the beanies that Aisha made on Place des Epices. Because we unfortunately can't sponsor her during the workshops this year, I figured out a way to support her anyway and sold some of the beanies she made before.

Shortly after I found out Caroline (a lovely lady from the Netherlands, who I met at hotel Chambres d'Amis last year and once more at Villa Augustus afterwards) happened to be in Marrakech to prepare her future group trips to Morocco. I follow her on Instagram and found out by chance she was in Marrakech, because of her Instagram stories.

So I send her a message and asked her for a favor:
If she could an would be so kind to hand Aisha the money for her 'famous' handmade moroccan beanies. She immediately responded very enthusiastically and I knew she was the right person to do this, because she cares about the Moroccan people, especially now, just like me.

So Caroline went looking for Aisha, with the 2 photos I sent her. A photo of Aisha at Chambres d'Amis and a photo of Aisha and me, so she could explain to Aisha, what this was all about. Since Aisha is currently not working on Place des Epices, it was not that easy to find her. With the help of a guide and asking around many people in the medina, she found her eventually.

She sent me a picture of the Aisha and her together in the Medina; support mission accomplished! It made my day, I love it when things work out so well and Aisha was super happy! Caroline was also very pleased to be able to help with this mission.

Shukran dear Caro, thanks for your help and commitment and of course also a huge thanks to the ones who bought a beanie in my Etsy shop.

Let's hope we can meet and work with Aisha herself again next year.

postponed

Otherwise I would now have been busy packing my suitcase to leave for Marrakech next Monday.

I'm gonna miss the Red City, medina life, the Atlas Mountains, the Agafay desert, the gardens, the adventures with the group, the cosy dinners on the roof terrace at Chambres d'Amis, the blissful breakfasts on the roof terrace at Chambres d'Amis, the lovely and caring staff, the sound of the prayers, the hustle and bustle of the city, the harira soup on the Jemaa el Fna and Cafe des Epices, being in a completely different world for some weeks. Well actually, i'm gonna miss everything that makes this trip so special and unforgettable...

Already in August we decided to cancel the planned Marvelous Marrakech workshop from the 7th - 13th of October.

For a long time it still seemed possible to travel to Morocco, October sounded far away and we remained optimistic.

Unfortunately we have to accept that traveling to Morocco is really not an option for the time being. And it remains difficult for everyone because there is no perspective.

Therefore we have decided to cancel the Marvelous Marrakech retreat in October 2020, but to postpone it to 2021.

Of course it's very unpleasant and a disappointment for the 14 participants, Chambres d'Amis, Ank and me, but for the people in Morocco is much worse. The inhabitants in the medina generally have no income and the majority depend on tourism.

The artisans we work with during the workshops, such as Aisha who normally sells her handmade items on the Place des Epices, now have no income at all. This year we cannot sponsor Aisha in the way we normally do.

I still have some of her handmade beanies from last year and they are now for sale in my Etsy shop and I will make sure all proceeds go directly to Aisha.

So no reunion with all dear folks in October, but we have to stay positive and hope for a vaccine soon.

I will miss Marrakech, everything and everyone enormously and keep my fingers crossed we will be able to travel to Marrakech in a safe and responsible way next year...

handmade moroccan beanies

It's December. We are in the middle of the beanie season!

I brought another handmade beanie collection from Morocco. Striped, uni-colored or with a harlequin pattern, all unique and one size. The soft and warm beanies are unisex, very comfortable to wear and won't ruin your hairstyle.

Would you like to wear a beanie this season? Or surprise someone with a unique Christmas gift. Just have a look in my ETSY SHOP, choose your favorite one and support Aisha. The traditional moroccan beanies are all handmade in moroccan crochet style by lovely Aisha on the Place des Epices in Marrakech and some crafters in Essaouira.

handmade moroccan beanies

It's November. Beanie season has started!

Traditionally I brought a new beanie collection for you from Morocco. Striped, uni or with a harlequin pattern, all unique and one size. The soft and warm beanies are very comfortable to wear and won't ruin your hairstyle.

Would you like to wear a beanie this season? Just have a look in my ETSY SHOP, choose your favorite one and support Aisha. The unique moroccan beanies are all handmade in moroccan crochet style by Aisha from Marrakech & crafters from Essaouira.

This season I found some new models, slightly shorter than the regular beanies. Below an example of the Moroccan beanie new style.