Morocco amazzing picture

Morocco amazzing picture




Phase two of our journey then began. Setting up home in Morocco, also a non English speaking country with a very different culture to ours. Marrakech is a real melting pot of; languages, tribes, rich, poor, city slickers, country peasants. It sometimes reminds me of that place Luke Skywalker went to, to buy that space ship, with all those different intergalactic aliens. (Any one know what it was called?) After months of beauroctratic paperwork, rendez vous with people who don't turn up and renting from an unpleasant woman for a large amount of money, we bought ourselves a villa. This was not in the plan as we didn't want to tie up our capital in a home. I now realise it is one of the best things we could have done. When you've had a really difficult day here to be able to close the door and relax in your own place really balances you.

Zamzam Riad & Spa was eventually created out of love and we hope you will come and stay and be pampered in our luxury boutique riad.

Creating the Guest House

We had decided to buy land and build a country guesthouse as per our business plan, about 10 double rooms and suites. The dream was to create a holistic retreat and build our house on the same plot. We were going to have an organic vegetable garden and provide a Moroccan Spa.



Land in Marrakech particularly, went mad. Prices going up daily, lots of people fishing but not really wanting to sell. There is also a problem here of title. ie not much land is titled and to buy land without a title is very difficult, unless you have a lot of time on your hands and like a gamble. We looked at more land than you can shake a stick at, drank more mint tea than you can imagine and got totally no where. It can take weeks to even get a price. You may be being shown a piece of land that isn't for sale or has already been sold. After a year of this my husband said 'that is it!, we are buying a riad!'



I had a total nervous breakdown and couldn't talk to anyone for three days. He then said this doesn't have to be the end.......

Traditional Wedding Cakes - Marrakech Zamzam Riad

Traditional Wedding Cakes - Marrakech Zamzam Riad
I thought you would like to see this latest wedding cake all white.  I was very pleased with it and loved the white lillies on top.  The cake had a base of carrot cake and 2 tiers of Madeira Cake which was lovely and moist.





For further information email Emma -

Alternative Spring Break Trips – Spring 2013

Alternative Spring Break Trips – Spring 2013

Our special spring break volunteer trips are perfect for college students looking for an alternative way to spend spring break this year. Instead of doing the usual spring break routine, you can get off the beaten track and make your break matter by joining one of these specially-designed volunteer projects for students.

The Alternative Spring Break Trips are 1-week long, scheduled to coincide with the major university breaks. Volunteers work together in a group on a service project arranged by our expert local staff. The projects are located at our closest destinations, so you won’t spend your whole time recovering from jet lag. Spring break volunteers receive the same benefits as our longer-term volunteers, including food and accommodation.

Just because you only have a week does not mean you cannot still make a difference. Projects Abroad’s Alternative Spring Break Trips offer you the chance to experience a new culture and impact the local community where you are volunteering. Come by yourself or sign up with a group of your friends.

If none of the Alternative Spring Break Trip options fit your schedule, you can also create your own trip by signing up for one of our standard 1-week trips.

For more information on our Alternative Spring Break Trips, please tune in to one of our upcomingAlternative Spring Break webinars, interactive online presentations by US and Canadian staff.

Spring 2012 trips include:

        

Throughout the parish of Manchester many local people have had their houses damaged or destroyed by severe weather or fire and do not have the means to repair or rebuild. As a volunteer on this building project you can help restore these people to a livable condition.

Projects Abroad’s Building volunteers work in conjunction with ADRA, a local organization devoted to improving the standard of living of disadvantaged members of the community. During the course of the week, work might include mixing and laying mortar blocks, repairing roofs, installing windows, plastering and painting, landscaping and gardening, and building basic facilities such as outhouses. No construction experience is required, just a desire to work hard and lend a hand where it is needed.

Volunteers on the Community Building project live with local host families in Mandeville, a lively town in the rolling hills of south-western Jamaica. At the end of the week you will be rewarded for your hard work with a trip to the beach or a refreshing waterfall.

If you have time you can do this project for a second week at the regular 2-week trip price.