“I wish for all this to be marked on my body when I am dead. I believe in such cartography – to be marked by nature, not just to label ourselves on a map like the names of rich men and women on buildings. We are communal histories, communal books. We are not owned or monogamous in our taste or experience.” 
― Michael Ondaatje, The English Patient

Yes, that.

So we jumped at the opportunity to spend a sand-swept day and star-filled night in the wilds of the desert at the end our Moroccan adventure.

( it’s almost over…just 1 more post-after this one )

We departed from our hotel located in the outskirts of the city of Ouarzazete by helicopter

a 50 minute journey over epic scenery

which we loved…albeit ever vigilant for potential emergency landing spots (see it?!)

Incredible to see how specks of verdant green popped up occasionally

and the lengths some people will go to to ‘unplug’

While it’s true that my friend and I did ever so slightly miss the presence of Ralph…

and couldn’t help but give Omar a thought

or two…

The hotel camp had us covered!

The tents were amazing

Crisp white sheets, hot water bottles and a private loo. You can just imagine my happiness.

More Happiness

(P.S. Gordon’s Gin people, please feel free to contact me for the photo :-))

Slim Sandy

‘The desert could not be claimed or owned—it was a piece of cloth carried by winds, never held down by stones’

from The English Patient.

Tagine served from a huge earthenware pot

What we listened to under the canopy of a billion stars?

“Us & Them” from Dark Side of the Moon of course!

(click for mandatory listening please!)

and as I’ve learned through experience, there’s something quite magical about watching an old movie while tucked in a tent in the middle of nowhere, I brought my newest old favourite;

“The Rains Came”

With no irony.

Dawn in the desert

A peacefulness one can’t describe

Strike a pose

John Singer Sargent’s Bedouins

Bedouin Breakfast

.

a little sand kicking up??

no problem for my ever resourceful, quick thinking friend who manages to eat breakfast, play DJ and start a new style trend at the same time.

“Ralph…Ralph…We’re here for you…”

.

The John Singer Sargent exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum  is on now through July 28th

Our desert sojourn was organized by Maison Des Reves

and have a splendid weekend!

xx

SP

~