Meet Maryam Montague: Human rights and democracy specialist, owner of boutique guesthouse, Peacock Pavilions in Marrakesh, interior designer, gourmet chef, photographer, author of award winning blog, "My Marrakesh," and the beautiful coffee table book you see below, Marrakesh by Design. Maryam may be one of the most extraordinary women I have ever met. Over a dish of Chicken Tagine in a Berber tent one night, Maryam related to our group how her grandmother took her aside when she was young and expressed that she only wanted one thing for her: to live anything but an ordinary life. After working as a human rights specialist in 40 countries and traveling to an additional 32, then building an oasis with her husband and two children in the middle of an olive grove in Marrakesh, I think it's safe to say that Maryam has achieved the extraordinary her grandmother always wanted for her.
Does that sound familiar to you? To live anything but an ordinary life? I started out my last post by saying that "I have never wanted to live an ordinary life." This must be why I am drawn to this woman.
Below are a few montages of photos from our stay at Peacock Pavilions. This magical, eco-friendly oasis amid an olive grove in Marrakesh has been featured in the New York Times, Elle Magazine and on HGTV. Maryam and her architect husband, Chris, designed and decorated it from scratch. The grounds, the design, the décor and the food are all implicitly divine.
Thanks to Whitney Ebert for the photos above.
Thanks to April Meeker for the photos above.
P.S. I should have been a peacock for Halloween! Next year? Happy haunting tonight!
Does that sound familiar to you? To live anything but an ordinary life? I started out my last post by saying that "I have never wanted to live an ordinary life." This must be why I am drawn to this woman.
Below are a few montages of photos from our stay at Peacock Pavilions. This magical, eco-friendly oasis amid an olive grove in Marrakesh has been featured in the New York Times, Elle Magazine and on HGTV. Maryam and her architect husband, Chris, designed and decorated it from scratch. The grounds, the design, the décor and the food are all implicitly divine.
P.S. I should have been a peacock for Halloween! Next year? Happy haunting tonight!
Posts
What a dream trip. I have always considered you 'extraordinary.' :)
ReplyDeleteYou are extraordinary Mindy!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful post!!! It was such a pleasure to meet you, Mindy. You are one incredibly talented woman and an inspiration to thousands and thousands of people!
ReplyDeleteI love Peacock Pavilions & Maryam (: I am from Marrakech, living in San Diego, CA . We've had some great times at Peacock Pavillions.
ReplyDeleteI shared your post on my facebook page: facebook.com/argawise
Thank you Mindy!
This is looks like such a beautiful place!! I am orginially from Rabat, but I currently live in Herndon, Virginia. Growing up, I always enjoyed visiting the city of Marrakech, as it is indeed the "Pearl of the South". In fact, I was there this past summer with my husband and two girls. It is such great place to live! Lucky you Maryam. By the way, your BOOK Marrakech By Design is such an inspiration for me. Hope we will meet one day!
ReplyDelete