Worldwide Photo Walk

Last Saturday over 21k people were involved in a worldwide shooting.  From my home in Nashville to my residence in Marrakech, participants grabbed cameras and celebrated life on photo walks in 1000 locations.  To learn more about Scott Kelby’s Photo Walks go here. Ours was scheduled in the medina to begin at 9:30 at the Café de FRANCE on Jemma El Fna square.  Jon–a friend, pro…

Riad Hikaya…Balm of Beauty

Owner John Pittaway of Riad Hikaya says it is “very, very difficult to feel sad for long in Morocco” because you are surrounded by beauty. Working five years with Marrakech artisans, he has, no doubt, created a feast for the eyes and balm for the soul.

Jnane Tamsna…Garden Paradise

“The soul cannot thrive in the absence of a garden. If you don’t want paradise, you are not human; and if you are not human, you don’t have a soul.” –Thomas More The lesson I have thoroughly learnt, and wish to pass on to others, is to know the enduring happiness that the love of a garden gives.”–Gertrude Jekyll My love of gardens began…

Luxury Tent Experience…Camping in the Country

At Manzil la Tortue one escapes the mayhem of Marrakesh and enjoys glamping at its finest.

A New Perspective

 “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”–Henry Miller Sundays are delicious days.  Finally, the work-weary can feast on time.  We say of Monday, the most unpopular day of the week, we’ll “hit the ground running.” We lament that until the weekend we “won’t have time to turn around.”  But today I do.  And I did. In Nashville, Sundays began on…

Hmmm…I had a Hammam

I did it. I bared all to be pampered like a princess and bathed like a baby. And I liked it. Marrakesh Must-dos for a Girl’s Day Out are what I call the 3 Ss–souk shopping, Jemaa el- Fnaa Square, and a scrub.   By- day the largest market in Africa hops with henna and monkeys and snakes, Oh My.  And by- night, pop up…

Congrats Marrakech for Being Named 2015 #1 Travel Destination in the World

I’m back in Marrakech where sidewalks in my neighborhood are crowded with tourists (Nashville, think CMA Music Festival Fan Fare).  And this party is just getting started!  While I was in Paris, Russia, and Prague (pics below) during Spring Break, my new city made big news.  What a perfect place for a travel blog. 🙂 Congrats, Marrakech, for being voted the #1 DESTINATION IN…

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day will be held again on March 8.  Since 1911 the annual celebration recognizes women past, present, and future for their economic, political and social achievements as the United Nations calls for greater equality.   This year’s theme is “Make It Happen,” and  Project SOAR is doing just that in Marrakech. The non-profit now not only serves girls at Peacock Pavilions but…

Cupid Crawl from Riad Mur Akush to La Maison Arabe

Each day for six months has been nothing but new. My only constant has been change. Even traditions–Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve—were celebrated in first-ever ways. St. Valentine’s Day 2015 I climbed with friends to a riad rooftop supported by 300-year-old walls. New chums encircled by the snowy Atlas Mountains, we sat sleeveless  on a sunny summit above the Marrakech Medina. Good company,…

Beauty Break at La Mamounia

“I’ve always found this a trying time of the year.  The leaves not yet out, mud everywhere you go.  Frosty mornings gone. Sunny mornings not yet come.  Give me blizzards and frozen pipes, but not this nothing time, not this waiting room of the world.” — C.S.Lewis in Shadowlands I’m so ready for spring, and last weekend I needed a Beauty Break. Badly. I’m…

Painting Party at Project SOAR

Surrounded by olive trees, lavender bushes, and mustard-colored blooms, we painted, stretched like yogis across the tent panels of the Project SOAR art area. Too cold to fan their plumes, the namesakes of Peacock Pavilions perched, watching us work to Dave Matthews with a rooster crowing as backup.  Maggie requested a Lionel Ritchie encore. Maggie O’Neill, American artist whose prolific portfolio includes designing the Washington,…

Saturday American Artists To SOAR

I can hardly wait for Saturday to return to Project SOAR, this time to paint alongside master American artists like Maggie O’Neill of Swatchroom. She and other creatives are flying in to decorate welcoming spaces at Peacock Pavilions and the non-profit’s new Dourar Ladaam village center.  There girls and their moms will take classes in health, sports, and yoga.  Also coming in 2015 is a…