And in ev'ry room roses in bloom

Maybe not rose colored glasses but maybe bed of roses is what Jake had when filming Prince of Persia. The recent travel section of the NY Times reviewed the The Villa Rose Sultan, that opened just a few months before Jake began filming.

The"secluded boutique compound" on the outskirts of the Marrakesh, contains only private nine suites. The hotel is based upon a rose theme, from rose-flavored tea for guests, lush grounds, a secret rose garden oasis in sea of sand, and each suite bearing the the name of a certain type of rose like White Crystal, Royal Gold. The Villa Rose Sultan "comes with an impressive pedigree. The owner, Majid Ej Jennane, a grandson of the former pasha of the imperial city of Meknes, worked in marketing for Chanel and Hermès." The suite's rooms are "rough-walled, elemental and minimalist" complimenting the desert vistas. There is no restaurant, but rather a kitchen that prepares meals as the request of each suite. Patios are lined with high walls for privacy looking out over the glassy outdoor pool, gardens and mountain views. There is a traditional hammam (traditional Moroccan bathes - a multi-step cleansing technique requires a brew of hot and cold water, olive oil soap and a mud-like paste in a honeycomb of rooms).





A review of the hotel in the NY Times travel section describes it levels level of privacy. "If you’re trying to evade paparazzi, creditors or the law, the Villa Rose Sultan is for you. Located a good 20-minute drive from Marrakesh proper, the hotel is hidden behind anonymous high walls at the edge of a vast unpaved and unmarked dirt expanse roughly a quarter mile off the Route d’Ourika highway. The upside is a stellar view of the Atlas Mountains, fresh air and tranquillity — all in short supply in the city’s central districts. The downside is the hassle of getting into town, or even just across the bumpy sea of dirt. Don’t expect any taxis to be able to find it. You’re pretty much obliged to use the hotel’s driver."

Beautiful garden, elemental rooms, secluded, exlusive privacy. Sounds like they hit the nail on the head for Jake's accomodations.

Makes you wonder if the entire compound was rented out for Jake and his personal entourage. Seems like you could have people or perhaps a Secret Squirrel come and stay and no one would know. Hmmmm....

The Rose Sultan

Gardening 101

Now what you do is you just use seeds - part of story, a phrase, or a just a word to plant.

You mean like tiny? he's so supportive? I'm very lucky?

Exactly - see how easy it is. Now you just throw it out there, sometimes we plant it a little deeper in some places so doesn't get eaten up before rooting.

Then what?

Well compost - ok mostly manure is spread on top. A good thick layer. And maybe a few worms in the mix.

Can't there be too much, I'm mean it could just suffocate everything.

Not for this garden. There's never too much manure

Ok whatever, it just seems like overkill.

Now soon with some bright lights, maybe some artificial heat and some water something always comes up.

How soon? How do you know what your gonna get.

Ah that's where the pros like us come in. You let everything come in and then decide if its need to be weeded it out or tend it more to make it bigger.

Is there stuff that pops up that you don't want?

Of course - we just pull it out and sometimes just slip a prepackage plant in its place.

Smart thinking, I guess.

Hey that's what we do.

What kind of garden is those supposed to be?

It's a show garden of course, something like this doesn't happen on its own. But the beauty of it is that it looks like its natural.

It kind of doesn't look that.

Listen enough people will think this this just happened that's enough. Amateurs of course. The pros know what it takes to get this, and some know it all green thumbs.

And does it spread and grow?

Of course its bright and happy and everything everyone thinks is what a garden should be. So all these birds and bees are attracted to it and they spread for us. No work, they do it all.

What happens if it cross pollinates and turns into something different?

If we like it we work with them, if we don't we just claim it never came from us or ignore it.

And over there? What's that? That yellow rose?

Oh that well that's Jake's little patch. There's nothing we can do with that, that damn shrub won't go, doesn't fade, and never needs pruning. It's always there.

Is that another little bud on it?

Just leave it be, we have too much work to do on the high maintenance one we have. Here just put more, more manure near the side of it, maybe people won't notice.

What the heck? How did this get in here?

What what is it?

Damn Charentais!

Damn what?

Charentais - French melons. I'm going to kill Jake. Oh he thinks if he can sneak that in and no one notices.















Chance the Gardner/Chauncey Gardiner strikes back.



P.S. I've hijacked the music for next few days. Please forgive me Wicked.



Now you can name this tune but can you name the movie? What Jake movie was this song in? You know movie man Austin knows. ; )