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...

moroccan cafe crochet

Moroccan crochet masterclass by the sweetest and most patient Aisha on Place des Epices.

While Aisha teaches a small group how to make a moroccan beanie under the umbrella on the market, the others are making matching mittens in my favorite atmospheric Cafe des Epices. The crochet class is enjoying music and tasty drinks and the mittens progress steadily. Mille grazie @cafedesepices for the hospitality and great service!

For lunch we move to La Famille, where everyone enjoys the most delicious dishes in the beautiful quiet courtyard in the middle of the medina. After a long lunch, the program is free and most girls are using their free afternoon to go into the souks for some serious shopping. Some prefer to take a relaxing siesta in the shade on the roof terrace of Chambres d'Amis...

going green

Going green.

Soon I will be leaving for Marrakech, to start with the 9th colorful Cool Crochet 'crocholiday'.
Thereafter to interact with nature and the green side of the city with the 3rd Green Gardens workshop.
Also this new workshop season former 'cool crocheteers' are returning, but this time to discover the green treasures of the Red city.

All preparations are in full swing and I could not help myself, to blend a little green into a crochet project (by means of a palmtree pattern in typical Marrakshi colors) and vice versa I made a linen herbarium bag with crochet palm for all GG participants.

Naturally, hotel Chambres d’Amis is our 'base camp' during both workshops. The small hotel is located just a stone’s throw away from the beating heart of old Marrakesh, the Djemaa el-Fna square and the souks. Despite this, it’s as quiet as if you were in the countryside; greenery and birds all over the place. A marvelous green oasis to return to, after a day full of adventures. Right in the middle of the Medina and at the same time far away from it all...

Straw hat - from Place des Epices
Handmade linen palmtree herbarium bag - made by me
Green Tamegroute pottery - from the Medina in Marrakech
Butter knife - gift from Dietske (one of last years 'green gardenista')

crafted coaster collection

The current crafted coaster collection.

Collected over the years, found on Place des Epices and in the souks of the Medina in Marrakech.
All handmade from grass, wrapped with yarn cleverly.
The simple patterns and beautiful colors, some even sun-bleached on the spice square.
Not that i ever put so many hot pans on the table at the same time, but I think they look so attractive.
Normally they are pilled up on the kitchen bench, this time together on the family group photo.

It's nothing but visual pleasure...

it's beanie season!

Beanie season has started!

Would you like to wear a moroccan beanie this season?

Have a look in my E T S Y shop, choose your favorite one and support Aisha, my sweet friend and hardworking woman from Place des Epices.

Those colorful handmade moroccan beanies I didn't make myself, they are all handmade by Aisha from Marrakech.

herbs, spices & veggies

Another Green Garden day in the Medina, to shop & cook our own lunch.

With our 'Arabic' grocery list and big baskets we went out shopping in the souk in the morning.
First towards Place des Epices to buy herbs and spices and then straight to the local market, to buy vegetables and fruits.

Heavily packed we returned home to Chambres d'Amis, to get started with the cooking class, under the guidance of Malika and Rachida, kitchen princesses of the house.

Cutting a lot of vegetables and preparing refined seasoning blends and dressings, under the banana trees of the courtyard.
We made various vegetable salads, a vegetable couscous tajine and a delicious fruit salad. Those scents, hmmmm...

While the food was slowly simmering, we were dismissed for a siesta.

At the 'a table' call, we all came to the roof terrace to taste our home-made lunch in the shade.
During the first bites, the afternoon prayer sounded in the background...

Simplement magnifique!

in the medina

A photo report of our first day in the medina. No words needed...