The magic of Morocco
Brunch|December 02, 2023
Fewer hippies, more luxury and a hotel that feels like home. Marrakesh is still the place French people go to when they want to dream. Perhaps more Indians should too
VIR SANGHVI
The magic of Morocco

"Take the train from Casablanca, going south" sang Graham Nash on his Marrakesh Express, the first hit single from Crosby, Stills & Nash. It's an instantly appealing song that became one of my favourites when I was still at school. While Crosby, Stills & Nash would go on to release much weightier material, Marrakesh Express stayed a personal favourite. I liked it because it offered a vision of freedom, of a place one could escape to. 

It was, of course, in retrospect, a grass-fed hippie dream that never held true. And so when the hippies cut their hair in the 1970s and went to work for IBM, Marrakesh ceased to be the sort of flower-power destination.

But it found new identities. It had always been a favourite of French people. (Morocco used to be a French colony and French is widely spoken in Marrakesh). It was where Yves St Laurent would hide out when the pressure got too much for his delicate creative sensibility. It is still the place French people go to when they want to dream.

The Marrakesh that flourishes today is much more the city of Yves St Laurent than it is the city of Crosby, Stills & Nash. Its smells still make you a little heady, it is filled with gardens and there are still people "charming cobras in the square", as the song has it.

Bu hikaye Brunch dergisinin December 02, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Brunch dergisinin December 02, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

BRUNCH DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Fit Check? Look Behind You
Brunch

Fit Check? Look Behind You

In gyms, someone is always filming. We are all in the frame without meaning to be. Is privacy at odds with fitness goals? Is consent even possible with all those mirrors?

time-read
2 dak  |
November 23, 2024
Avantika Dassani
Brunch

Avantika Dassani

Actor, @AvantikaDassani

time-read
1 min  |
November 23, 2024
Keep your i on this BMW
Brunch

Keep your i on this BMW

The brand's beloved sedan has now gone electric. The i5 M60 has a sci-fi roar and razor-sharp graphics. It's worth the hype

time-read
2 dak  |
November 23, 2024
Why adapt when you can evolve?
Brunch

Why adapt when you can evolve?

Sometimes, the movie or show does it better than the book it is based on. Here's when to stream not flip

time-read
2 dak  |
November 23, 2024
Sharp edges, blunt words
Brunch

Sharp edges, blunt words

British chef Heston Blumenthal has gone public about his struggle with ADHD and bipolar syndrome. He hopes it calms kitchens down. It's hot in there already

time-read
3 dak  |
November 23, 2024
The suitable boy
Brunch

The suitable boy

He's played lovers, taxi drivers, street rats and rich brats. He's redefining what it means to be the token Brown boy on set. But would he be on a reality show? Ishaan Khatter tells us why he's a career chameleon and how he got here

time-read
4 dak  |
November 23, 2024
Stay stylish in your cubicle
Brunch

Stay stylish in your cubicle

Everyone's back at the office. Covid flexibilities are long forgotten. But being comfortable is still key. So, what are we wearing to work?

time-read
2 dak  |
November 23, 2024
Hey, I found you online
Brunch

Hey, I found you online

Baby pics, emo selfies, old tweets outing the ex. If it makes you cringe, it makes HR departments do too. Here's how to clean up your digital footprint

time-read
3 dak  |
November 23, 2024
Is It Scrolling Or Screening?
Brunch

Is It Scrolling Or Screening?

Being on the phone while the TV plays is the new normal. Just don't do it when there's company. A case for what it means to be present

time-read
2 dak  |
November 16, 2024
This week, we're...
Brunch

This week, we're...

Preferring the spinoff.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 16, 2024