*Moroccan Nomad Lady* - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
Photographs by Jan Voich in Madrid. Jan has invited us to view - a small selection of her photographs - taken on different trips and adventures. Most of these are from her private collection.
Notice the tattoos on the *Moroccan Nomad Lady* - these people commonly have their chins tattooed - almost imitating the beards - that men have.
The Moroccans have a passion for anything that is plastic - and willingly trade their all natural belongings - for a pair of thongs or an acrylic shawl - as they have no plastic objects in their country. All is natural and handmade - thus their fascination for plastic bags and anything similar.
Jan was overwhelmed with this Lady - *look at her eyes - she is fantastic - she is a nomad - and does not understand this housing story*.
Nomad Lady - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
Jan tells us - *we went skiing - in the mountains outside of Granada one Easter - and after the first day - we had terrible sunburns - so Tad - Sandra ( my perfect traveling companions ) and myself decided to ferry across the Straits of Gibraltar and drive down to Morocco.
We did not realize the hotels would be full - and finally found a room - for one dollar a night - outside of Fez - in Sidi Harazem - totally exhausted. When I woke the next morning - Sandra said - *look outside* ! These photos show you the family who lived in the house. Sandra and I had both visited Morocco many times - yet Tad ( from San Diego ) was here for the first experience*
Back to topMoroccan Family - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
*This Nomad Family all lived in this one room. The house has five rooms and our rented haven is seen below - the two boys - to the left found us this room - we were grateful after looking for so long ! Hardly the Ritz - yet - nice -- when you are - so - very - tired*
Back to topThe Ritz in Sidi Harazem - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
The next day - the adventurers - drove out to the surrounding areas ( still carrying their skis and ski equipment - of course ).
Back to topSidi Harazem - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
The spa village of Sidi Harazem - 15 km. southeast of - Fez - is largely a medicinal center - offering - as for many centuries past - cures for the afflicted. It is a local rather than tourist attraction.
The eucalyptus-covered shrine of SIDI HARAZEM - was established by Sultan Moulay Er-Rachid - in the seventeenth century
Back to topSidi Harazem - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
The thermal waters are seen above - with locals enjoying - watching three people in - after ski clothes.
Back to topSidi Harazem - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
The beauty of the countryside in - Sidi Harazem - is seen above.
Back to topSidi Harazem - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
Sandra - asking the local ladies - how - they paint their eyes with the minerals (seen below) - henna - is a common paint - for their eyes and - for designs - on their hands.
Back to topPaints - the minerals from Morocco - Copyright 2004 Jan Voich
Tea Time in Fez - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
Sandra - an old friend of Jan - is seen above - as her blisters disappeared from the terrible sun burn - after skiing in Granada. The last thing they wanted to do was - to be seen in Madrid - after everyone warned them to be - very careful. So - they lost themselves - until the blisters ended (we will not show these blister photos).
Back to topFez - a typical street - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
Touring the streets of Fez - is always a feat - this is an unusual view - without the throngs of people - donkeys and vendors. First visiting Fez in 1971 - Jan has returned many times - and has a huge collection of photographs from each trip to the different spots visited here and other spots in North Africa and Africa.
Back to topA Mosque in Fez - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
Ladies are not allowed inside of Mosques - so this photograph is one that Jan took from the door.
Back to topThis is where the people - in Fez - dry their leather and later dye it in the colors seen below - in vats. A very similar process to Our Needlepoint Fiber Makers - yet - this is what the process was - in ancient times.
Fez - Tannery - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
Back to topTangiers - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
Back to topOn the way back to Spain - The Traveler*s - stopped in Tangiers - seen above. A street vendor - - impeccably dressed - stopped - to offer them - his home baked goods.
Moroccan Vendor - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
Vendor - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
Back to topAlhambra - a view of Granada from el Generalife - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
Crossing - again - the straits of Gibraltar - the skiers returned through Granada - visited with friends in Mohacar ( a whole other page of fun photos - coming - soon ) - then returned to Madrid.
Back to topAlberto del Saz - Jeannette Capocci - Blanca Marsillach in Pedraza
Alberto and Jeannette were skating teachers in Jan*s Figure Skating School - Blanca was a student and all are friends - seen - as they took day trips - out of Madrid. Jan had over thirty teachers working with her in her school - yet Alberto - from Bilbao - and Jeannette - from Sweden were the only *imports*.
Back to topThe Plaza Mayor of Pedraza
There are many music concerts (classical) - art exhibits and other cultural events programed here - mostly promoted by Paco Muñoz and Sabine - founders of this town - and owners of Casa y Jardin (House and Garden).
Back to topAvila - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
These are other friends of Jan - who have a lovely estate outside of Avila dating back to 1264. Many of the photographs of her needlepoint are photographed here.
Back to topCuenca - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
A weekend in Cuenca - with another group - of passionate art collectors and friends - above you see Patxi - clowning around - - as usual.
Cuenca Paintings - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
A corner of this renovated house in Cuenca shows some of the many paintings decorating this beautiful weekend home of Pilar*s. More photos below - from this (and so many) - great weekends.
Back to topCuenca - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
Cuenca - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
Back to topKabila - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
Kabila - a beach in Northern Morocco - where Jan has visited many times - is almost always empty - except for the residents and the few guests at a very small and exclusive hotel.
Back to topGonzalo Garcia Marquez - Sandra Rotondo - Eduardo Sepulveda
Gonzalo - Sandra and - Eduardo - when - students in Paris invited Jan to stay with them - later they all met in Mexico City and Gonzalo with Pia (his wife now) showed us their country - inviting Jan - again - to their family home in Cuernavaca.
Sandra and Jan continued on to Oaxaca - Mitla - Palenque - then returned to Spain together after spending time in California.
Back to topPyramids in Mitla - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
Deciding to see the archaeological wonders and art of Mexico - Jan again - agreed with Sandra not to *do the beaches*. Visiting Villahermosa - Oaxaca - Mitla and Palenque - you see some of her photographs here. Finally - Sandra took a shot of Jan - ya era hora !!
Back to topWall of a Pyramid in Mitla - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
There are many more photographs of these wonderful motifs seen in these pyramids - yet this page is too long already - so another day. Below is the back of a shop - where the owners had a loom and many pieces - from the excavations of the pyramids.
Shop in Mitla - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
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Michael Rey - New York - Copyright 2009 Jan Voich
Jan did stop by New York to visit friends later that year - her typical habit going and leaving California - and a way to break up the long flights. Here she plays with Michael Rey - the fabulous graphic artist.
At this time - he was designing - for Mick Jagger - now - he has relaxed into the Getty Museum - and lives in L.A.
These two are dangerous - when they are together - especial when the ideas never stop. Michael says this is not work - it is play - and Jan agrees.
Back to topGuadalajara
During a very recent invitation to - a lovely estate - outside of Madrid - we discovered - an incredible group of people. The most enchanting person of the group - Pilar Mencos - with a wonderful accent from Sevilla - is a tapestry artist (seen above - wearing Alonso*s baseball cap) - and she showed us one of her thousands of designs created during her lifetime - (seen below).
Alonso Mencos - (seen above) - will be showing us many more of his Aunt Pilar*s - incredible tapestries soon. Select the photograph below - to see view her stitches with - more detail.
Alonso has lived in Northern California for twenty years and - now - - explains the USA - to us.
Tia Pilar - you have - our complete admiration - and please - visit us again - very soon.
Back to topMany more photographs - - and stories ... will come - > soon - there are - - just too many - and - no time.
Now - be sure to visit - - > Designers - as well as > Designs - Thank You - and please return soon - to view new additions.
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