Moroccan vibes - mandalas and music

To escape from the late German winter (and some other issues), I was looking forward to my second yoga retreat in March, where I also reconnected some wonderful girls I met on Corfu last year. This time, we are in Morocco.

Enjoying my favourite yoga styles, vinyasa and yin, and the beautiful voice of our yoga teacher Kate, we spent a week of quietness and relaxing and for me a nice break in waiting for my last working day in April.

Beside the amazing profits you receive during practicing yoga regularly (for your body but as well for your soul and mind

- I've already realized so much and it was always helpful in seeing some things clearer or find solutions for anything) - Well, beside all these nice effects, a lot of funny and surprising experiences waited for us on a day trip to Essaouira with its beautiful blue painted doors and window frames and tiles with colourful patterns and mandalas, where I spent the day with two wonderful and super sympathetic women, eating fried fish and falafel, salads and Moroccan tangines in this small beautiful Medina.

After a week of yoga at the beach side of Aouir near Agadir, few of us extended with a few days in Marrakech. After a little excitement when we arrived there and Marrakech introduced itself with a little quarrel between our driver and some men on the street who maybe wanted to "guide" him to our places (against money of course, even if you never asked them for their help) I finally arrived in my little beautiful riad. It is typically Moroccan furnished and decorated, somewhere in the small alleys in the Medina of Marrakech and owned by a very nice and welcoming family. Luckily! Because I was really shocked by the situation before and so I was absolutely relieved when I arrived at the right place and everyone was welcoming me so friendly.

When I was not exploring the crowded souks with the other girls or just by myself, where people walk by feet next to cars, motorcycles, bicycles or wheelbarrows or the famous market square Djemaa el Fna, where you find men with snakes, women with henna, people selling fruits, incense, spices, jewellery and everything you need and don’t need - I spent my time on the roof top of my riad with a great view over all Marrakech from sunrise till sunset. Here, where you think you look over Aladdin's Agrabah, you have absolutely peaceful silence only to share with some birds.

One night, I asked my host, Mohamed, for a recommendation for dinner, whereupon he directly took me of and drove me

on his motorcycle right through the traffic of Marrakech's alleys to a restaurant, which had a nice view and simple good local food!

As I love art, handwork, craft and everything looking beautiful, I wanted to learn more about Henna in Morocco. I loved these things long time before and although it sometimes might be very touristy, it’s actually a very old tradition and I just had to try it. There was the possibility to do it on the Djemaa el Fna, but after I found a little shop nearby with a wonderful young lady explaining me everything and honestly what I wanted to know, I felt to be in better hands with her. She was super nice, served me a welcome tea, answered all my questions honestly and explained me everything about her products. She used natural Henna powder and showed me how to prepare the paste. I was so delighted and fascinated that I took a small package of the Moroccan powder too, to try the drawing by myself at home. (And after a short time of practicing it was pretty easy and much fun for me to decorate my own or friends' hands and feet.)

So... summarized, I made some really good and interesting new experiences and met some really welcoming and friendly people in Morocco. Have a look!