If I had to choose one word to describe Morocco, it would have to be Magical. No other word suffices or can encompass all that Morocco has to offer.

During our yoga retreat, T, our lovely instructor, arranged for us to stay in a riad (traditional Moroccan home) in the medina, or the old city center, of Marrakech. In and of itself, our riad was already magical on its own.

View from the top: the courtyard of our riad

We made excursions around town and even out to Essaouira, but our riad was our home base. Many of our happiest memories were created here. From our evening rooftop dance parties to our breakfast gatherings, the riad provided a space for our group to really gel as a family.

Joyously dancing the night away Watching the sunset from our rooftop terrace

This trip made me realize how important it is to have a warm, inviting home where friends can congregate and enjoy each others’ company.  On one of our tours around the medina, our tour guide told us that most Moroccan homes are modest on the outside, especially in the medina, because Moroccans value humility and don’t want to incite jealousy in their neighbors. Modest exteriors may conceal homes with beautiful interiors. I love that. Our guide also mentioned the walls of a traditional riad are very thick (a couple of inches at least), which blocks out noise from the outside and keeps noise in. You could host a party in the courtyard of a riad and it would be completely private. We definitely took advantage of this one night when we must have had too much wine to drink (not even, perhaps we inhaled too much magic) and stayed up late laughing at each other’s childish antics.

I want to thank M, A, and L at Riad Le Coq Fou for their hospitality and for helping make our stay in Marrakech so easy and comfortable. Our crazy banana tribe misses you!

Breakfast in the courtyard on our last morning

xo

J

P.S. More posts on Morocco likely to come. The magic can’t be contained in one post!