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" Life must be rich and full of loving–it's no good otherwise, no good at all, for anyone." Jack Kerouac
Category Archives: travel
Travel: Salamanca, Spain
Travel: Bordeaux, France
I have been traveling the Pays Basque, and many posts will come, but for now, here are some pictures of Bordeaux, where I was for a couple of days.
An art installation in Bordeaux.
This art installation, named Le miroir de l'eau, placed across from Place de la Bourse and designed by landscape artist Michel Corajoud is composed of about 2 cm of water which alternates in depth and rhythm, creating beautiful reflections of the heavens, the architecture and the children whom run around as if they are walking on clouds. I'm pretty sure the pictures on my Leica are muchhhh better… when I get home.
Restaurant: Le Tanjia, Marrakech, Morocco.
On one of the nights, I had dinner at this restaurant called Le Tanjia. It's right in the centre of the medina, just a few alleys away from the main square. The food was good, but what I really loved was the setting, the architecture and the view. Here are a few pictures.
The Jardin Majorelle: Marrakech, Morocco
The Jardin Majorelle, located just on the outside of the old medina, was designed and envisioned by the painter Jacques Majorelle (1886-1962) over the course of forty years. The garden is composed of a series of narrow pathways, filled with large trees, exotic plants and many different cactus that seem to stretch out to the heavens brought here from all corners of the earth. There are cacti, palm trees, bamboos, weeping willows, carob trees, jasmine and agaves, to name a few. As we wander, we hear the sound of water, smell the fragrances of beautiful flowers (maybe jasmines), the twittering of birds and feel the rough dry textures of the desert in our skin. On one side of the garden there is a large pond with gorgeous huge koi fish, that not only provides a moment of stillness and solitude, but makes it seem as if we are immersed in a Monet painting. Between the cooled pathways, the beautiful fountains and the colours that surround us, it makes it seem as if we are in a sort of paradise.
At the far end, emerging in between the beautiful pathways, a 'house' appears painted in bright blue. The building, which was Jacque's art studio, is a sort of Moorish charm painted in blue because Jacques wanted to capture the bright blue he had experienced in the Atlas mountains. This shade of blue, which later became known as Majorelle blue, is a strong ultramarine, cobalt blue that enhances the green of the plants surrounding it, making it seem as if the garden is alive. Although the Jardin Majorelle only opened to the public in 1947, it was already widely known and revered for its beauty.
'' Jacques Majorelle used to say: "The painter has the modesty to regard this enclosure of floral verdure as his most beautiful work." He referred to the garden as " vast splendours whose harmony I have orchestrated… This garden is a momentous task, to which I give myself entirely. It will take my last years from me and I will fall, exhausted, under its branches, after having given it all my love." '' Source
Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé discovered the Jardin Majorelle in 1966, during their first stay in Marrakech, and instantly fell in love with it. After spending countless days there, they ended up buying it in 1980, saving it from being destroyed by a real estate project. They moved into the villa next door (Jacques previous house) and restored the gardens to their previous glory. Today the garden boasts of over 300 species and 20 permanent gardeners always keeping in perfect condition for its visitors. A haven, an oasis, a little paradise on earth, this garden truly is a wonder.
The Symbolism of the Colourful Tiles: Morroccan Architecture
Moroccan architecture is known for their vivid and colourful design. But what do they mean? After some research I found that: The Blue represents Sky, Heaven, Water and Protection; The White represents cleanness, good luck, beauty and femininity. Red is female, sexuality, fertility, childbirth and also relates to a happy marriage. Green relates with the Muslim interpretation of heaven (a green oasis), and lastly Yellow relates to gold, wealth, sun and protection. The colour symbolism of each is not very different from our own colour symbolisms. However, when we observe these colourful and beautiful tiles, combining these colours in unique ways, it is important to remember what they mean and the complex message that they really convey.