This morning we grabbed taxis after breakfast to visit the Jardins Majorelle. Yves Saint Laurent’s foundation sponsors the gardens as he was a frequent visitor in Marrakech even having a home here at one time.
This was the peace we sought in the bustle of the city. Paths wandered through gardens with everything colored in Moroccan blues and greens. Lilly ponds served as backgrounds for tourist shots. The dappled sunlight was soft and kind on our faces. It was a great way to re-center ourselves at the end of a hectic trip. However, all good things must come to an end so we went back out onto the streets to return to our Riad.
This afternoon we had our final critique session for the trip. This was a very accomplished group of photographers so the critiques served as a learning session in different styles of photography. We all saw a little something different even when visiting the same locations. These trips broadened our views and encourage dialogue on techniques and equipment.
We had a few hours before our final gathering on our own. Several of us took the opportunity for a little retail therapy while others napped and caught up on emails. Everyone was heading out on Sunday so suitcases needed expanding and flights reconfirmed.
As with all of these types of workshops, a slideshow is compiled of our best photos of the trip. This is no small undertaking and Ari’s hard work was much appreciated. We toasted our success with the last of our wine and shared our takeaways from the experience. Our leaders complimented our work and directed us on how to stay fresh and advance our skills.
Our final dinner was held in a newer, hipper part of Marrakech. The large restaurant appeared to be the site of many celebrations around large tables. Our family style dinner included an assortment of appetizers and a tangine of couscous, chicken, sausage, lamb chops and vegetables. A flaky creamed filled dessert rounded out the meal. Moroccan dancers descended the stairway for our evening’s entertainment, some clad in belly dancing costumes while others danced with trays holding candles atop their heads. Many of the diners participated in the dancing, shaking their hips to the beat of the music. It was quite entertaining although it was clearly directed at the men in the group.
Arriving back at our Riad near midnight, many said their goodbyes in the alley ways before returning to our rooms for one final night in Morocco.
Tomorrow: A stop in Paris
This was the peace we sought in the bustle of the city. Paths wandered through gardens with everything colored in Moroccan blues and greens. Lilly ponds served as backgrounds for tourist shots. The dappled sunlight was soft and kind on our faces. It was a great way to re-center ourselves at the end of a hectic trip. However, all good things must come to an end so we went back out onto the streets to return to our Riad.
This afternoon we had our final critique session for the trip. This was a very accomplished group of photographers so the critiques served as a learning session in different styles of photography. We all saw a little something different even when visiting the same locations. These trips broadened our views and encourage dialogue on techniques and equipment.
We had a few hours before our final gathering on our own. Several of us took the opportunity for a little retail therapy while others napped and caught up on emails. Everyone was heading out on Sunday so suitcases needed expanding and flights reconfirmed.
As with all of these types of workshops, a slideshow is compiled of our best photos of the trip. This is no small undertaking and Ari’s hard work was much appreciated. We toasted our success with the last of our wine and shared our takeaways from the experience. Our leaders complimented our work and directed us on how to stay fresh and advance our skills.
Our final dinner was held in a newer, hipper part of Marrakech. The large restaurant appeared to be the site of many celebrations around large tables. Our family style dinner included an assortment of appetizers and a tangine of couscous, chicken, sausage, lamb chops and vegetables. A flaky creamed filled dessert rounded out the meal. Moroccan dancers descended the stairway for our evening’s entertainment, some clad in belly dancing costumes while others danced with trays holding candles atop their heads. Many of the diners participated in the dancing, shaking their hips to the beat of the music. It was quite entertaining although it was clearly directed at the men in the group.
Arriving back at our Riad near midnight, many said their goodbyes in the alley ways before returning to our rooms for one final night in Morocco.
Tomorrow: A stop in Paris
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