We take our Moroccan cocktails seriously at Peacock Pavilions. When we have guests, a freshly made, craft cocktail is available every day at 5:00 (and we make sure that guests never get the same thing twice). Over the years, we have amassed a repertoire of Marrakech-inspired cocktails, and there is always something new and delicious being stirred, muddled or shaken in the kitchen. Many of the ingredients come straight from our organic garden!
Phnom Penh, Cambodia: and a tale of voyaging
My father lived in Cambodia, in Phnom Penh for years. He lived in an old Khmer house with potted orchids hanging from all the eaves. His furniture was dark oiled wood, his bedspreads were silk in inky colors. It was all very dramatic.
I visited him in Cambodia, once and then twice. I was living in Kathmandu at the time and Phnom Penh seemed chaotic and dangerous in comparison. People would whisper about having to run checkpoints late night. There were robberies with complicit guards tied up up in pretend manner. My father once saw a man shot in some brawl over a prostitute. We would listen to the tales of intrigue and betrayal over drinks at the Foreign Correspondents Club where we'd mingle with the regulars.
It was an unusual life, but one suited some how for my father -- a man who was exceedingly mild mannered but yet terribly adventurous at the same time.
I'm back now in Phnom Penh. And I'm alone. At first glance, the city seems to have changed, to have gentrified - the bars less gritty, the streets cleaner.
But perhaps that's just the surface. Let's see what I'll find.
Images from Gypsyskyphotography and Bwiti
Moroccan talismans: and a tale of tribal jewels
I believe in magic. And so I saved for them. The talismans. I wanted more than one, I wanted several, I wanted many. I wanted so many that I'd know that they'd protect me no matter the circumstances, no matter the situation, no matter the tight bind.
I wanted the old ones, I wanted the real ones, I wanted the kind that had their powers. There were silver ones and Oh, there were gold ones. I wanted them both. I wanted them all.
For four months, I paid for them. Every month I paid some more. And then I paid some more again. Until they were mine....the Moroccan talismans. Bought from the white haired keeper of talismans.
And then she made it for me....the necklace. The necklace of talismans.
With them around my neck....I feel, well, invincible.
My talismans are mine. But perhaps there are talismans that should be yours? This necklace? Or this one? Or perhaps this one? Or just look here.
Marrakech Morocco: and a tale of my stint on CNN Go
Dear Friends,
In exciting news I am on CNN Go's travel show this month, which airs TODAY on CNN (and will repeat over the course of the month). It was so fun being part of the crazy cast of characters who love the Red City of Marrakech and want to share it with you.
Take a peek at the promo (those are my henna'd hands and that's me in the hot air balloon!:-)):
Let me know if you catch the episode. It's airing on CNN International.
Many many thanks to adorable CNN Producer Gisella Deputato for including me!
xo
Maryam in Marrakech