Exploring Marrakech with House of Notoire
It's a cold, dreary Saturday here in Amsterdam, I'm peeking out the window to grey skies and the sound of fat raindrops hitting my window. It's hard to believe that about a month ago, I was hopping in a taxi at 4am with adventure on my mind and making my way to warm, sunny Morocco.
My destination was Marrakech, where I joined eleven other curious, creative freelance women from the Netherlands, France and South Africa. We met up for six days of exploring, eating, sharing and learning in the sunshine!
Needless to say, since returning, I've often caught myself daydreaming of the colorful, flavorful moments we experienced—from visiting the gorgeous Jardin Marjorelle, to cooking traditional Moroccan tagine at our riad, exploring the buzzing medina. And since no trip to Morocco is complete without a camel ride at sunset, we did that too! Our retreat was action-packed with learning, laughing, and plenty of colorful discoveries. I can’t wait to share with you!
Planning your trip? Check out my Marrakech City Guide!
The rooftop view during our lunch at Nomad
With chilly November in mind, I set out on this journey for inspiration because, let's be honest, winter drains my spirit, and trading cold Amsterdam for sunny Marrakech was a welcome break to help the darker months pass by. As someone who loves to travel and has organized countless of excursions abroad, I was at first a bit apprehensive to let someone else take the reigns. However, it turned out to be a blessing. Cynthia, the founder of House of Notoire, prepared every last detail. All I had to do was show up with an open mind, ready to embrace new experiences. In the end, I got out of my comfort zone and everything worked out perfectly thanks to House of Notoire.
This was my first visit to the North African country and the best way I can describe Marrakech is a feast for the senses. My expectations we far exceeded—detailed, geometric wood carvings, curvy archways, and colorful, tiled patterns were everywhere we looked. Spicy, earthy scents filled the air as we explored the twisting pathways of the medina with our local guide.
Our riad, Zam Zam, was a short wander through the media and offered a secluded oasis in the midst of the chaotic, dusty city. During the first evening, we laughed and conversed in the courtyard while the smell of smokey incense and sweet oranges filled the air. Some of my favorite memories of the retreat came from the little moments, chatting about our dreams and challenges and soaking up the sun on the rooftop while setting new goals for 2018.
Of course I was excited for the opportunity to explore Marrakech (my first time!) and joining the trip with House of Notoire made it extra special because of our girl gang.
Even as an expert traveler, I was a little nervous at first, because traveling on my own or with a friend is totally different than going to a new country with a group of mostly strangers. Of course, discovering the unknown is part of what makes travel so exciting to me!
Needless to say, the wild energy of our group clicked from the start. We laughed, cried and dance the night away on more than one evening! We bonded quickly the first night a few sips of Amarula sure helped to break the ice. And it t was evident after just a few short days that a sisterhood was budding.
Being open and vulnerable isn’t easy, especially in front of strangers, but during our workshops about brand building and mindfulness, it was our vulnerability for sharing stories that made this experience so fulfilling. Plus, the meisjes were graciously patient with my Dutch which, and I gotta say, my Nederlands really flowing on this trip!
If you've followed my blog for a while, then you know expat life has never been an easy path for me. After eight years in Amsterdam, I'm finally feeling settled but I’ve paid the price to watch a lot of great friends come and go due to the transient, expat flow of Amsterdam. At times, I’ve experienced an aching void when it comes to connecting with lady friends, because brave, interesting women are a special find.
I left Marrakech with recharged energy, inspired mind, and a full heart knowing that there are eleven, interesting, new ladies friends and countless inside jokes to keep us laughing for years to come.
Curious for more about Marrakech?
Check out my photography blog series for The Creative Women Collective: The Flavors of Morocco, Best Back Drop, The Power of Self Reflection and The Connective Power of Travel.
Follow along with #honeysinmarrakech on Instagram.
Have you visited Marrakech? Let me know in the comments below!
