instagram workshop marrakech - scenic street photography

One of the workshops on the program is the INSTAGRAM-PHOTO WORKSHOP.
It's surprising to discover, observe and capture everyday life in the medina in different ways by taking 'unusual' photos. In this post a collection of moroccan doors, I've photographed over the years. Obviously it's just one example to show you, how to discover the authentic Marrakech in our scenic street photography tour.
(gosh, where does the harlequin inspiration come from?)

Would you like to join the ultimate Marrakech trip in October?

Perfect when you want to travel alone, but also a great trip to make with your friend, mother or sister.

Marvelous Marrakech! Seven days in Marrakech with a distinctive workshop program.

Explore Marrakech every day in a different way. We have combined new places and topics with the best from our programs from previous years.

What's new about the Marrakech travel workshops program? We have a different theme every day, to explore the authentic Marrakech in a special and unique way.

Off the beaten tracks with workshops and exciting adventures while discovering Marrakech and surroundings. Where everyone else goes to the right we go to the left. By showing you the real beauty of Marrakech, your visit to the Red City will be a much more precious experience!

Price € 777,00 per person (excl. tourist tax € 2,50 pppn)

The price is based on a shared twin bedroom and excluding flight tickets.

INCLUDED:
- transfer from airport Marrakech to Riad Chambres d'Amis (v.v.)
- shared twin bedroom (6 nights) including breakfast in Chambres d'amis.
- 2 dinners & 5 lunches (drinks are not included)
- 5 workshops

CRAFT-WORKSHOP
Buying wool, cotton and yarns in the souk. Moroccan craft class in the open on the colourful Place des Epices, where Aisha will teach you different characteristic Moroccan craft techniques (materials are included). After lunch we will continue the Moroccan craft class with Aisha and practice different crochet and embroidery techniques in The Secret Garden. (Needless to say, I will give a crochet class aswell.) At the end of the afternoon we will visit the Carpet auction in the souk, an unforgettable and colorful experience.

GARDENS WORKSHOP
During the workshop we will visit and explore all kinds of gardens in and around Marrakech; an Arabic garden, a botanical garden, secret city gardens, hidden courtyards, an art garden, museum gardens and vegetable- and herb gardens.

INSTAGRAM-PHOTO WORKSHOP
Street photography in the medina. Learn how to anticipate the moment, to identify locations with suitable subjects and develop confidence in photographing on the street. Learn to select and frame a moving subject and explore colour to create impact. A visit and lunch at Maison de la Photographie.

VEGGIE COOKING WORKSHOP & BICYCLE TOUR
Vegetable shopping in the Medina and souk. Cooking class by Moroccan women under the banana trees at Chambres d'Amis. Early home cooked lunch on the rooftop terrace. In the afternoon a bicycle tour to discover the beauty of Marrakech in the most fun way. Together with a young, native tour guide, you will discover the mysteries of Marrakech. On the bicycle we bring you beyond the tourist districts to show you the hidden jewels of Marrakech that usually remain secret to visitors!

COUNTRYSIDE & BERBER CARPETS
A trip to a Berber village in the country side with a lunch at Berberlodge. We will visit an atelier where you can buy carpets directly from the Berber women, who make the carpets, so they will earn more money with their crafts, instead of the carpet dealers.

DAY OFF
Halfway the week we have planned a day off! We can suggest a visit to the luxurious Beldi Club, a visit to Jardin Majorelle or you can use the day for shopping in the souk (optionally with personal shopper).

This week is a real treat for travellers, who would like to discover the real and authentic Marrakech. An adventurous journey, you can make on your own, while you will be 'pampered' and only have to enjoy and relax.

Arrival : Wednesday 2nd of October 2019 leaving : Tuesday 8th of October 2019

The workshop will start with a welcome dinner on the rooftop of Chambres d'Amis at 7PM on Wednesday. For early arrivals Chambres d'Amis can offer you a small program on the first day.

If you would like to join the workshop in October, please send an e-mail info@woodwoolstool.com
I will send you an application form and more information about the travel workshop.

The Marrakech travel workshops 2019 are a collaboration with Ank van der Pluijm, my friend and owner of hotel CHAMBRES D'AMIS, oasis in the Medina of Marrakech and our wonderful green 'basecamp' during the workshops week. You will, of course, be overloaded with impressions in Marrakesh, and Hotel Chambres d’Amis will be your quiet home to return to. Our street Derb Moulay Abdelkader is located in a very quiet and safe residential area, and very easy to find.

(it's always possible to book extra nights, before or after the workshop)

medina on the horizon

Soon I will return to the Medina*.

The first days I usually use to settle down and simply enjoy the 'medina life'. It always feels wonderful to mingle with the inhabitants of the medina and to soak up the daily Marrakshi life.

I also use the start-up days to take care of the last stuff before the new guests arrive and the workshops begin.

My 'mission' for the travel workshops in Marrakech, is to show the real Marrakech and to make it easy for the workshop participants to make authentic connections when they are in Marrakech.

To make them discover the joy of original travel and wander off the beaten path. Be a real traveler, not a tourist. Connect with locals, experience and respect their culture.

This way offers a much more special and valuable experience.

And no doubt, we will visit 'luxurious' places during our adventures, but from experience I know that the unexpected and spontaneous contacts with the locals make a much deeper impression, which makes you feel so connected to the 'Red City' afterwards.

Cool Crochet workshop: Wednesday 3rd of October 2018 - Monday 8th of October 2018
Green Gardens workshop: Thursday 11th of October 2018 - Tuesday 16th of October 2018

The real countdown has begun...

* Medina is the old part of a town or city, found in many countries of North Africa, not just Morocco. It's typically walled with a maze of narrow streets, fountains, courtyards, palaces and mosques. Many medinas are car-free, for the simple reason there is not enough space in the alleyways for cars to pass. The word 'medina' means city or town in modern-day Arabic.

medina messi

The sound of kids playing football outside, has the same sound, no matter where in the world you are.


There are Messi's all around the world and it's so special that kids play the same way, wherever you are.

When I'm in Marrakech in the riad, and I hear the kids play football outside and having much fun together, it's the same sound as when I'm at home or somewhere else in Europe.

A long time ago, I had this idea of making a portrait book of Messi kids around the world.
Just a portrait from a boy wearing a Messi shirt (front and the back) with only a name, age, date and place.
I loved the idea that young boys are the all the same. You can spot small boys wearing Messi shirt everywhere.

I regret that I never started making the 'Messi portraits', because it would have been wonderful. I thought it would be a problem to take pictures of children and trouble with rights and privacy etc...
And after some years, when I was in Marrakech in October 2014, we met the neighborhood boys in the street, two of them wearing Messi shirts and I told my friend Ank of this idea of mine. She loved it too and said; you can still do it. I asked the boys if I could take their picture and they were proud to pose for the camera. We treated them on a drink and had fun with the 'team'.

Well the photo's I still have, but the Mondial Messi book never made it.

Today Morocco is playing their first match in the World Cup 2018 and I wish them all the luck!

hello from mogador

Mogador, Medina at the ocean.

A photo report of our visit to Essaouira, where we arrived at the end of the afternoon. It was nice and quiet in the city, so I really could experience the authentic atmosphere. And no wind, which is very unusual.

We visited Galerie Elizir, a former restaurant, now transformed into a four floor vintage gallery. We strolled through the charming narrow streets in the medina and enjoyed the sunset overlooking the Atlantic at Salut Maroc.

A year ago we were allowed to take a look inside the heritage building, when the work was in full swing and I promised the craftsman not to share any pictures. Needless to say we were so curious about the result. Well, I can tell you this funky boutique hotel is a color explosion; united colors, patterns and texture! The interior is a fusion of Islamic patterns, vibrant colours and an eclectic mix of contemporary & antique. Inspiration overdose...

After a nice conversation with the chef, he insisted on having his portrait photographed by me. Ank and I shared the most delicious lemon pie that I have tasted in ages and when the sun has sunk into the ocean, we went to our favorite restaurant Mega Loft, to end this glorious day in style.