Passports ready? Don't forget your bag.
Let's load up the caravan.
We'll need comfortable, yet stylish clothes for warm temperatures: nothing too exposed; modesty is a plus in this Islamic nation.
Have you guessed where we're headed? In this country, the cities are colourful, noisy and crowded, but vast expanses of land are occupied by undulating sand dunes of the Western Sahara.
Many Moroccans believe that jinns play a role in everyday life. Morocco moves to its own multi-cultural rhythm, with strong influences from the Moors, Africa, Spain, Europe and the Middle East.
Seeing stars, in the cobalt blue colour predominant throughout Morocco.
Lanterns in various Islamic shapes and sizes are found in virtually every corner of Morocco.
You can never have too many lanterns.
It's been a long journey. Shall we accept an invitation for tea?
What a selection of tea glasses! Maybe we can take some home?
Oh, my head is spinning with all her suggestions of what to see, where to eat, what to do! I'm thinking we need a month, just to hit the highlights!
Isn't it charming to see a child dressed in a traditional costume?
Hmmm, after our busy day, perhaps it's time to take a break. Let's meet back here later to discuss what to see next. Meanwhile, leave a note (in the comments section) for a chance to win a prize from Morocco PLUS a special prize from France worth 200 euros!
Suggested reading: The Caliph's House: A Year in Casablanca and In Arabian Nights - A Caravan of Moroccan Dreams, both by Tahir Shah; The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles and La Prisonniere by Malika Oufkir.
Photos, vitrines at Galeries Lafayette, Paris.
Oh my...I find most anything Moroccon utterly beautiful! I collect lanterns and these just make my heart beat faster. And that child's costume is fantastic..
Posted by: Art Dolls by Du Buh Du Designs | 07 July 2009 at 00:10
I just got back from Morocco, and I do miss the razzle dazzle of Marrakech! With those lanterns and tea glasses, you might as well have been in Morocco for the moment!
Posted by: jen laceda | 28 May 2009 at 19:18
Such beauty. I have always wished to visit Morocco for at least a month just so I could see that beautiful city and feel it's spirit. Thank you for sharing the pictures.
Posted by: Sally | 28 May 2009 at 10:02
Those lanterns are seriously gorgeous!
Posted by: dutchbaby | 22 May 2009 at 19:05
Tara! Haven't commented in a while but I have been following you faithfully over the past few months...but these photos! Wow! My husband and I honeymooned in Morocco a few years ago and these pictures just brought it all back... gorgeous! What a fantastic country and how I love the mint tea. Thanks for sharing... I'm packing my bags now (at least in spirit!)
Posted by: Susan | 22 May 2009 at 16:46
Blue. blue blue BLUUUUE!!
Posted by: Chris | 22 May 2009 at 01:31
Simply stunning vitrines! Thank you SO MUCH for doing such a gorgeous job sharing them, Tara. The Parisian reflections you captured make each picture even more delicious.
Lovely lovely lovely!
Posted by: CMN | 21 May 2009 at 07:35
How exciting! I can't WAIT to see the pictures you take. I love these lamps, too. My dear friend had a Moroccan themed wedding, and had these lanterns all over. It was so cool.
:)
Posted by: amber | 21 May 2009 at 03:45
Morocco in Paris!! I've always wanted to go to Morocco! Thanks for taking me via the magic carpet!
My favorite photo is the child's beautiful dress!
Please say hi and have fun with Di!
You are both so lucky to spend time together!
xox
Constance
Posted by: Rochambeau | 21 May 2009 at 00:20
Wasn't 'The hseltering Sky' turned into a movie? With John 'One-Of-My-Favourite-Actors-Ever' Malkovich and Debra Winger?
Stunning pics and yes, I would like to come with you on your next trip. Many thanks.
Greetings from London.
Posted by: A Cuban In London | 20 May 2009 at 23:53
Tara! These images, the COLOR! Do you know how close I got to going to Marrakesh?? My bags went....such a long story, someday, but in the meantime I will feast upon your virtual trip here.
please PLEASE put my name in your turban...
Posted by: Stephanie | 20 May 2009 at 23:12
Oh, yes! Let's do a month! The journey IS spectacular!
Posted by: Joyce Ellen Davis | 20 May 2009 at 23:01
Wow, those blue lanterns are stunning! I'd like to decorate a shady garden with them, along with the blue fairy lights.
Where, I wonder, will you take us to next?
Posted by: Cheryl de los Reyes Cruz | 20 May 2009 at 21:52
Fabulous style, Tara, and your pics really capture the allure. I've always wanted to go to Morocco. I've heard the markets are unbelievably colorful!
Posted by: the paris apartment | 20 May 2009 at 20:43
What a remarkable pictorial trip to Morocco, a country I haven't been to yet.
The colours are spectacular and the photographs wonderful as always.
Thanks for the trip fantastic.
Posted by: Zoe | 20 May 2009 at 20:13
Gorgeous pics Tara and my passport is ready too !
:-)
have a "bon voyage" wherever you go and thanks for the reading suggestions...
xoxo
(I linked to one of your late posts today, about beauty and modeling as it reminded me some past events.)
Posted by: my castle in spain | 20 May 2009 at 19:51
My passport is ready, my eyes are bulging with the dazzling color! Fabulous!
Posted by: jeanie | 20 May 2009 at 19:38
I am hooked on your blog! Have been a happy lurker for quite some time. I lived in Paris for a couple of years in the early 90's & one of my favorite things to do was window shop, a feast for the eyes. The Morocco photos are fantastic, the colors brilliant and overall beautiful.Thank you so much for the vicarious pleasure I get from your posts. Its not quite a visit to Paris, but I remember!
Posted by: marie danti | 20 May 2009 at 19:00
Hey Tara,
Once again, beautiful photos! Count me in.
Posted by: Nancy Sotham | 20 May 2009 at 16:44
P.S.
Note to self: if I should ever loose my hair and need a turban ... .
remember to refer to these pics for inspiration on how to do these
elaborate rolls and tassels .
Posted by: judith | 20 May 2009 at 16:43
Beautiful! The blues, the lanterns, the dress that looks so yummy, the tea glasses, and especially the dreaming of a voyage. Count me in on the adventure.
Posted by: marilyn | 20 May 2009 at 16:38
Your divine images would be perfect to have on hand ... . perhaps giant blown up images on the walls , while reading any of those books!
Jjjj
Posted by: judith | 20 May 2009 at 16:38
No matter how far your journey, you always take the girl from mill town, by the hand. ; ) That's love.
Posted by: Christina | 20 May 2009 at 16:30
Those are astonishing photos...really quite wonderful. I love your photographs of windows. (I hope you don't get tired of hearing that.) That cobalt blue glass is so striking. My everyday glassware is cobalt blue. How wonderful it would be to have a lantern!
Posted by: Helen | 20 May 2009 at 12:32
I'm going to quote you on that sometime... I can see this being useful in a future blog: "As Paris Parfait says, You can never have too many lanterns!" Lovely trip to Morocco in my mind.
Posted by: The Antiques Diva | 20 May 2009 at 11:09
My favourite shade of blue! I'm guessing you actually took those photos in Paris, but I could be wrong..
Posted by: Catherine | 20 May 2009 at 10:45
Beautiful photos. A bit of Morocco in Paris.
Posted by: J Green | 20 May 2009 at 10:45
oopps beautiful!
Posted by: simon | 20 May 2009 at 07:38
I LOVE the blue in the photos simply beasutiful!
Posted by: simon | 20 May 2009 at 07:37
Beautiful shots! I LOVE the lanterns!!! This is one of my "to go to" places in my lifetime.
Cama
Posted by: Cama | 20 May 2009 at 06:50
AH, love it! Road Warrior meets North Africa.
Posted by: Maia | 20 May 2009 at 06:36
woo baby, sign me up, count me in, mark me down! And you my dear are the jinn of the camera! those blue shots are remarkable...love, love them all but that mirror shot...magical. some of your best work ever in my humble but adequate opinion. smooches
Posted by: Leau | 20 May 2009 at 01:13
These are the kinds of photos that make me want to throw my 5D on my back, grab a water bottle, and GO SHOOT. Anywhere! But mostly....where I can experience such a rich array of colors and excitement. That wouldn't be my town...
Thanks, Tara, this is fun!
Posted by: Jane Rosemont | 20 May 2009 at 01:02
Oh, lucky you! I hear Morocco is fabulous. My daughter has a friend that lived there during his Peace Corps days. These pictures are so rich looking with the golds and the blues. You make me want to go lantern shopping!
Posted by: MiddleAgedWomanBlogging | 20 May 2009 at 00:50
Tara!
How exotic :)
I loved your images in this post, and your suggested reading. (off to Chapters I go...)
Please put my name in! Thanks and I'll take some of that mint tea now.
xoxo
Gillian
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | 20 May 2009 at 00:39
Ooooooooo!! How fun!! Are you really going?? On a voyage? If you are, have a blast, if we are only going in photos, that works for me too, since I would rather stay in my garden :) But I LOVE traveling vicariously through you ;)
OH MY GOOOODNESSSS!! Lanternsssss!! xoxoox
Posted by: Vanessa Valencia | 20 May 2009 at 00:04