words by
visitors
“Hard exercice to describe in few words the beauty of experiencing Said & Linde's place.. First of all, a huge thanks!!!
It was more than what I've imagined, cause it's not only learning about old traditionals knowledges of taking care of lands, understanding a full complexe ecosystem, but also a beautiful opportunity to go deeply into myself as a peaceful retreat.
Said and Linde have a particular talent to make you feel home and comfortable, to teach things in a very easy way, make you remember the beauty of the simplicity of life and to bring joy around !
And finally, I admire the way they trust everyone and create a feeling of family with volunteers.
Thank you a lot, I sincerely hope to be back here one day, I wish you all the best.”
Lylou Groulard
“Linde and Said's project is incredibly special. From the moment we arrived it felt like home. They have created a beautiful space full of laughter and good energy that makes the work feel easy. There is plenty of time for card games or reading in the afternoon and stories and star gazing at night. For a quiet moment there is a beautiful oasis in the garden that is cool and peaceful.
We stayed for 3 weeks and by the time we left we felt like part of a big, joyful family. We especially loved the shared meals, movie nights under the stars, tuk tuk rides and orange juices in Tagounite. And the trip to the Sahara with Said as a guide was one of the highlights of our time in Morocco.
Linde and Said are generous, kind-hearted and wonderful hosts. They're genuine about opening their home and sharing their passion for sustainable, community living with anyone lucky enough to find their way to Bani Hayoune. We feel lucky to have been a small part of this project and so happy to have met you both. Thank you so much again for having us and for being such incredible hosts!”
Katie Trudgian
“This place is the most magical place I have ever been.
the beautiful palm trees scattered across the dry ground look magical against the setting sun. And then when you look up beneath the echo of prayer, a thousand stars shine that you have never seen before. My stay was very adventurous and taught me a lot about how important water is! Said and Linde are super enthusiastic people who enjoy telling stories. Thank you very much for the wonderful experience that I will never forget in my life.”
Berk
“We stayed with Said and Linde for just over a week and had such a special time living with the simplicities of the desert. Life out there is tough and enduring and it was fascinating and devestating to see the destructive impact the dam has had on the community, yet Said and Linde still remain optimistic and hopeful of creating a beautiful life out there. And they are definitely doing that :)
Linde is such a sweet and caring person who also has a very good photography skills and a special knack for making delicious tajines and moroccan tea....YUM. And always making sure everyone is okay and looked after. Said is a very hardworking individual who goes above and beyond to make sure everyone is satisfied and always willing to pick you up some much loved chocolate from the local store. It's surprisingly easy to settle in and adjust to the life out there, bucket showers and all.
Overall a much loved experience for us one that we will always hold dear to us. Thank you Linde and Said for having us and we hope to see you again some time in the future.”
Savarnah & Mai-li
“I have been welcomed with open arms. Despite the many responsibilities that Said and Linde carry on a daily basis, they still manage to find the time to get to know you personally and to be very accessible. I admire their vision, goals and hearts of gold. I got to know fantastic people, I got to know myself better, I got to know a different lifestyle,... I laughed a lot, learned a lot and, above all, I was able to grow as a person. Extremely grateful for this experience!“
Michiel
“This is a truly exceptional stay. Linde and Said are the kindest souls whose generosity and gentle nature is infectious. A once in a lifetime place to learn about life in a unique place. If you are able to, you won't regret it.
We stayed here for about two weeks. Between us, we helped with the manual tasks needed, picking plants to dry for the summer, cooking, and planning for the year to come. There was always a space to rest, to ask questions, or to just be still.”
Rachel Hobley
“Said and Linde are truly two of a kind, the sort of people you only come across a few times during a lifetime (if you are lucky). I met them in January when I stayed over at their’s along with my friends for a week. After a long, tiring journey across the breathtaking Atlas mountains we were welcomed with warm tea and an even warmer dose of hospitality.
Throughout the time I spent there, we have got to know them better during heartfelt conversations over breakfast, lunch and dinner. It was clear that they are most modest, genuine and generous, especially whenever we needed anything from spare toothbrushes to useful advices or contacts. It is not an exaggeration when I say that everyone knows and respects Said, quite understandably so, as he works tirelessly to help his fellows in the community.
My absolute favorite thing in this unforgettable experience was being able to see all the stars on the night sky around dunes as big as hills, and the incredible silence that comes with it. I cannot think of a better way to get a taste of the real Sahara desert.
The dictionary defines superlative as: of the highest kind, quality, or order, surpassing all else, or others. Supreme.
As adventurers, as the makers of the most authentic Moroccan tajines, as individuals and as friends, they are sincerely of the highest kind, quality, or order, surpassing all else, or others. Supreme.”
Viktor Weisz
“Staying with in this Oasis was a wonderful experience. Besides having the best and hospitable hosts you could ever imagine you will learn a lot about reviving this oasis and typical Moroccan culture, traditional building, food an dso much more. Along with that comes a deep sense of humility when I saw this life in comparison to our standard Western life. Being at this place will be an experience I'll keep deep in my heart and never forget and which taught me a lot about a lot of topics.
Here you will laugh, pet animals, have meaningful talks and deep connections with travelers and the hosts.”
Leo
“I stayed for 2 weeks at Said and Linde's place. They are great hosts. I feel genuinely welcomed there, and they are wonderful souls who try to help and understand everyone. There weren't many distractions, so it was a great place to be with myself, read, and enjoy the tranquility. The landscape and sky were breathtaking; unforgettable moments and lots of tagine these what I will miss.”
Kürşat
“Wow. This was one of the coolest experiences of my life. Said and Linde are incredible people who truly care about you and the project. They instantly make you feel welcome and make Tagounite into a home. This was unforgettable and I hope to come back one day with friends or family. My only piece of advice is to stay atleast a week. A lot of travelers come for a couple days and miss out on the connection to the land. 10/10”
Hunter
“I arrived as a stranger and left a family. Amazing experience with Linde and Said. Great people with great ideas, despite the difficulties they are surrounded with. You can learn a lot from this experience, I totally recommend it. Will go again soon to visit them!“
Erico
