About Me



I grew up in The Netherlands in a house furnished with Persian carpets, Indian woodcrafts and all sorts of curious antiquities that my mother searched for at markets far and closer to home. In my room I treasured the exotic gifts that my father brought back from his business trips to countries like Japan and the Emirates. Little things I had never seen before and which seemed to tell fascinating stories of other worlds which I wanted to see with my own eyes. One of the first birthday presents I can recall was an illuminated globe that glowed softly in the dark next to my bed. The world at reach before I fell asleep.

The world has become a red thread that runs through my life. Secondary school in London, a love story in Italy and life changing events in India. After many travels to Middle Eastern countries and India I developed an interest for design and handcraft and began importing beautiful handmade products from Kashmir.

I first came to Morocco with a friend, trotting the soil of the South with a backpack and fell head over heels and incurably in love with the desert. I returned to the enchanted kingdom frequently and soon I befriended a generous Moroccan family who invited me for several trips throughout the country. After a short while I realised that I really wanted to stay.

And sometimes life gives you what you ask for. I met my partner in Essaouira, a small fishing town on the Atlantic coast west of Marrakech. A Dutch man equally and incurably infatuated with Morocco but already living in Morocco and learning to speak Arabic. Destiny provided us with an opportunity to buy a beautifully located house in the Ourika Valley and together we plunged into the adventure of building boutique guesthouse Dar Zohra, designed and built by my husband with his amazing perseverance and profound love for the environment.

While the wall’s of Dar Zohra were built, the floors tiled and screaming machines were cutting large chunks of wood into window panes and doors, I was out twirling the souks of Marrakech and visiting cramped workshops in search of beautiful handmade objects of desire that would decorate our home and guesthouse. Some of the furniture has been designed by us and custom made locally by skilful craft men and some of the furniture has come from as far as India.

With whatever time is left I really love to understand more about the Berber culture which inevitably has opened the doors to the world of Moroccan Berber carpets. I thoroughly enjoy finding and selling vintage Beni Ouarain and Azilal carpets or vintage Handiras (Moroccan wedding blankets) and shipping them to new owners all over the world.

Last but not least, my greatest joy in life is Zohra our seven year old daughter. She is a courageous, loving and an incredibly patient little girl growing up surrounded by beautiful exotic things and flying carpets.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog!

Contact: danielledonker@beyondmarrakech.com

23 comments:

  1. I think it's 'about time' you had an 'about me'!....nice to learn a bit more about your enchanted life Danielle. Great things happen to good people & your blessings are many......keep up the wonderful 'Vocation'
    Rani.C

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  2. Just happened to find your blog. Wat een mooi leven heb je daar in Marokko, lijkt me! What a beautiful life you have in Morocco, it seems to me. I'd love to visit your guesthouse and see all the gorgeous things. I can imagine your falling in love with colors and shapes and textures. I've lived in various countries myself, but not in Morocco, and soon I'll have to find a place for a more permanent perch, but have no idea where yet. It's a big, wonderful world, if you want to see it that way.

    Greetings from Moldova, a very quiet, un-exotic country.

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    1. Hi, thank you very much for your thoughts and greetings from Moldova! Love your blog and stories! Best wishes from Marrakech, Danielle

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  3. Hi Danielle, ziet er goed uit! Mijn Engels is niet goed genoeg om het grammaticaal te beoordelen, maar het stuk is erg leuk. De liefde voor o.a. Marokko en India spat er weer vanaf! En voor mij steeds meer een bevestiging dat ik ook iets met deze liefde (ja, ook ik ben verkocht!) moet gaan doen! Complimenten!

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  4. Hi Danielle, stumbled upon your blog looking for Moroccan rugs and wedding blankets on the web. I loved reading your story and looking at the beautiful textiles you have on your site. I'm hoping to get one of your gorgeous beni ourain rugs--will get back to you when I'm ready to buy. So happy to have found your blog. Best wishes, Sarah Vanderveen

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    1. Hi Sarah, Thank you so much for your enthusiasme! I really appreciate your comment! Best, Danielle

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  5. Hi nice reading about you. Its amazing how travels and interesting things that you are in touch with when you are young shape your life.

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    1. Hi Emma, thank you for your comment! Yes, so true! I feel very blessed!

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  6. Hi Danielle,
    Your blog is so lovely and interesting <3. Your love story is touching, both with your husband and Morocco.
    I also love the wedding blanket. I agree it is the most beautiful blanket wedding, or otherwise I have ever seen.
    I am from Sydney, Australia and spend time in Morocco whenever I can. Which is not often enough. Thankyou for sharing your story.

    Fiona xx

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    1. Hi Fiona,
      Thanks for the comment! Really enjoyed reading your thoughts on Marrakech http://www.squidoo.com/my_magnificent_marrakech
      Let me know when you're back in town!
      Best,
      Danielle

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  7. I am so happy i have found your beautiful blog. I have been dreaming of visiting Morocco for so long.
    xxx Gabi xxx

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    1. Hi Gaby, thank you! You'll love Morocco and all the beautiful things available here! Love your blog!
      Best, Danielle

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  8. Danielle,

    Erg leuk om je blog even door te lezen. Ik zal zeker binnenkort even aandachtiger lezen. Zelf ben ik inmiddels al bijna 4 jaar in Marokko (Casablanca en Rabat). Jammer genoeg heb ik nog steeds geen tijd genomen om de "onderkant" te bekijken. Indien er in jouw vriendenkring interesse is om in Marokko te komen wonen en werken (ook voor een korte periode mogelijk), raad ik je aan ze te verwijzen naar www.marokkowerkt.nl. Dit is mijn website gericht op de Nederlandse vacatures in Marokko.

    Heb je nog een aanrader om een weekendje door te brengen in de Sahara?

    Groeten,

    Michel (Brainworx)

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  9. Hoi, Danielle

    Ik vind het geweldig dat jij als nederlandse in marokko woont....
    En dat je zo een mooie plek hebt gevonden om te wonen. ..
    Ik zelf hoop ooit een keer terug te keren naar het land van mijn ouders
    En ik vind het geweldig dat je mooie dochtertje een marokkaanse naam draagt
    Ik wens je veel succes met alles

    Groetjes safia

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  10. Hoi Safia,
    Bedankt voor je leuke berichtje! Ik hoop voor je dat je de kans zult krijgen om terug te keren naar het mooie land van je ouders! Kom gezellig langs in Dar Zohra als je in de buurt bent!
    Hartelijke groet, Danielle

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  11. Congratulations! I got to your blog through pinterest. I was in Morocco in April, and I couldnt find carpets of the same quality yours seem to have. Having been there and seeing what is available, your selection is really superb.
    Pia

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    1. Hi Pia,
      Thank you very much for your lovely comment! It truly is a pleasure to read that you like my carpet collection :-)! I hope you have enjoyed your stay in Morocco!
      Greetings from Marrakech,
      Danielle

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  12. Hallo Dani,
    ich bin zwar nicht der Spezialist/Profi in Sache Kelims, Handiras, Boucherouite,Marokko Schönheit Teppiche, aber ich habe Ihre Seite hier einfach gelebt.
    Apropo, ich komme selbst aus Marrakesch und ich finde toll das Sie in Marokkanische Teppiche spezialisiert haben.
    Ich drücke Ihnen den Daumen.
    charif

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  13. My wife and I were just in your part of Morocco, and became enchanted with it and wish to return.I can tell from your blog that your interests in the old, the artistic and the unusual parallel mine. If I can manage it I Would like to return - possibly in November. I would like to inquire about staying in Dar Zahora. Could you let me know about the availability of rooms at that time and the approximate nightly or weekly charge for a room?
    Thank you
    Paul

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    1. Hello Paul, thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment! I am happy to read that your trip to Morocco has been enchanting and that you wish to return! You will be very welcome to stay in Dar Zohra. Please drop me a line at danielledonker@gmail.com and I will answer all your questions in detail. Sunny greetings from the Ourika Valley, Danielle

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  14. Hi Danielle, My husband and I will be traveling to Morocco in Oct. I just read an article about you in the NYT from June15."They Hunt, you Gather". It is my hope that while we travel through the Atlas Mountains on the way to or from Erfoud we can stop and say hello and see some of your beautiful carpets, etc. What a coincidence to read about Morocco. We are very excited to be able to see another culture and for me to do some of my art photography. I will be in paradise. Hope we can find you.

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    1. Hi Bonnie, thank you for stopping by on my blog! Lovely to read that you will be coming to Morocco in October! A beautiful time of year to visit! You are very welcome to stop by to see my carpet collection! Please let me know a little in advance if you have the time to visit (danielledonker@gmail.com). In my opinion Morocco is one of the most photogenic countries in the world. You'll be in paradise indeed! Greetings from Marrakech, Danielle

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