Magic Windows, Marrakesh and Elsewhere

All photos taken Feb and March 2013

Windows, like doors, always hold a hint of mystery...

a moment of transition between inner and outer.

This window is in the Artisans' Ensemble in Marrakesh

as is this one. How Moroccans love colored glass as I did when we lived there.

Decorated window and door frames abound.

Here at Sherazade, the little old hotel we love in the medina right near Djemma ElFna, the windows have safety grilles. How many patterns can you see?

More windows at Sherazade --here facing the courtyard.

As above.

A nice austere window at the Bahia Palace.

Last two windows in hotels in Tiznet

and Essouira.

Just outside our Door

Musicians often wander playing music in the derb.  Here is one right outside our house.

His music is haunting and lovely.

This shot was taken very early in the morning when few people are about. 

I think this man is on his way to the mosque.

Light at the Jardin Majorelle

You should go to the Jardin Majorelle early in the morning before the crowds get there....

The gardeners will have just washed the paths

and the reflections are amazingly beautiful.

There are little frogs in the ponds  who may pop out onto lily pads.

The colors never cease to amaze me.

Everywhere you looks is magical.

Pink Saturday

No great difficulty searching for pink photos in the archives from Marrakech!
Flowers on the courtyard table.

This is my first attempt at Pink Saturday, hosted by How Sweet the Sound which I heard of via Pink Purl.




A subtle wall in an elegant house in Mousassine. Very photo-ready.



Children playing at a very modern play environment in Gueliz.



A pink-pink path in the Jardin Majorelle.



And last of all the ubiquitous pink wall. This one on derb elArsa off Kennaria.

Tuesday Morning in the Jardin Majorelle

I have a great friend from Long Island, and one of her friends staying. So I'm in tour guide overdrive.
I am very fierce since I hate tourists and crowds.
Why do I live here? Hmm.


Anyway, it means I make the poor jet-lagged friends get up very early.
So we are the very first people anywhere.
The man at gate of The Jardin Majorelle told me we were numbers one two and three for the day.
The light is also better.



The colors!



They have repainted the little pavilion..............


Such fans of palms!


I always used to think I liked old houses - now I like the simplicity of things 'moderne'.

Yesterday

In the morning we sat on the roof.



There were fluffy white clouds against the blue sky.



These roses that I got at the mellah market on Wednesday are a very red red - not that sort of blood-red that is meant to mean romance. Just bright.



I have become lazy and make my still lives in photos.




In the afternoon I walked to a friends' house for tea.
On the way I stopped at the Al Kawtar workshop to buy them a little present. It was wrapped in tissue paper and put in a gossamer bag.
There I found this very quiet door.



Walking home about six, the light was falling slantwise through the roofs of the souks.
Lots of patterns everywhere.



In derb djedid they have painted the hanut. It used to have "Bis 33" written over the door.
This is our corner shop which sells, tuna fish, candles, soap, water, CocaCola, bread, milk etc. It is about 15 feet from our front door. It is a very small shop indeed.
Now I know why such places are often known in America as 'convenience' stores.

Look how shiny the black shutter is. The owners are charming and laugh when I practice my hopeless Arabic.

A Walk to buy Vegetables at the Mellah Market

Down derb Djedid
to Douar Groua which is a small square where there is parking and an old lycee



I follow a group of women past the mosque.
The palm tree casts wonderful shadows.



I head towards rue riad Zitoune Djedid and turn left.



When I stop to look at this bright window, I'm assured it's
"bleu Majorelle" - comme le Jardin.
I nod.



On the left hand side of the street is a door which hasn't been opened for many moons.
Lots of decoration however.



The fruit and vegetable market is a garden of delight. Peas, green beans, artichokes...... what to choose?
I buy olives and red roses then go to visit the owner of the pet food shop whose own cat, Norah, is the proud mother of five kittens.

Trees in Cages

While we were away, they imprisoned all the trees in the little park between Djemma ElFna and the bus stop in pretty pale green cages.
Probably to protect them from people and horses.



We noticed this first last night, though work has been going on in the park for some time.
The sunken beds with bushes and shrubs have been paved over. The huge trees rise from amidst paving stones.



This morning I went to investigate the trees in daylight, before the caleche drivers were much interested in touting for trade.



They were chatting with their friends and I noticed anew how bright and colorful everything is.



I remember Ghislan being surprised that we don't commonly take caleche rides in New York.
In fact, I never have been in a horse carriage in New York.



Even men on their way to work manage to avoid drab uniformity.

Open Doors

We are heading back to Marrakech via London.
I hope doors are open to greet us -
like this unusual blue one in the medina.



Or the door to the beer garden in Gueliz - no women allowed.
My friend J. as an 'honorary man' gets to go in.
I never tried since I hate the taste of beer.



This doorway is mysterious and rather sad somehow.



A photo of the inside of the cool (literally rather than metaphorically) cafe that is part of the beer garden.
Drinking beer is done rather privately in Marrakech.

Moroccan Color

Long time readers of this blog will find it rather stale news that I love color and texture - and windows, doors and walls.
However a small selection below.



A window at Dar Cherifa.



A window at the rental we shared outside Essouira last summer.
The whole villa was astoundingly oddly decorated but provided wonderful respite from the heat of Marrakech.



Work in progress and a lovely fall of light at the elegant Peacock Pavilions. We can't wait.



Derb Snane off Mousassine on the way to have tea with friends.



An exterior staircase at a friend's rental in the countryside.