Give us a short introduction girls
Hasnaa: I’m 34 years old, from Morocco, based in Berlin
Clara: I’m 28 years old, from Denmark, partly based in Copenhagen and Brussels
How did you come to be at Villa X for New Year 2020?
Hasnaa: I came across an advertisement on Facebook and thought it sounded like just what I was dreaming of for a New Year getaway
Clara: As I am friends with Amanda and Cami, I had been following their work to make VillaX a reality. So, when they announced the first retreat, I did not hesitate to be part of it and even get to celebrate NY in those lovely sunny surroundings.
Were you traveling solo?
Hasnaa: Yes, I was traveling solo. I thought it would be interesting to meet new people and jump into the unknown. Eventhough I was traveling solo, I never felt solo from the minute I stepped into VillaX!
Clara: I was traveling with two Danish friends I knew before the trip, but we all very quickly became one big group
How did you 2 connect and what is your favorite part about each other?
Clara: We connected very well from the first moment we met each other, as well with all the other guests of the retreat. We got to spend a lot of time together throughout the week thanks to all the planned activities of the retreat (Yoga classes, surf trips, hiking trip, parties and daily dinners in the Villa), so we ended up building a close friendship with a lot of great memories.
Hasnaa: Yes, and Clara was in the midst of learning French which probably also brought us closer together. Apparently, I also developed a strong interest in learning Danish words, which we had a lot of fun with. We also have similar interests and values, sense of humour and we enjoyed spending time together. A curiosity to get to know one another.
Have you met since then and how often?
Hasnaa: A few months after the trip, I happened to move to Berlin where Clara was already based. That became our first opportunity to connect outside of VillaX. Clara was very helpful and welcoming to me as I was new to the city, I didn’t know many people or how to handle all the practicalities of settling in a completely foreign country and city. So that became the beginning of a great friendship, and ever since we hav been spending a lot of time together.
Clara: Yes, and even though I don’t live in Berlin anymore we have still been able to meet up and do travels together. We met in Paris last summer and Hasnaa also visited me in Denmark, so I got to show her parts of my country she had never been. We have now started to plan our next meet up, hopefully doing spring, in either Berlin or Copenhagen.
Hasnaa, do you have any advice for solo travellers considering joining a retreat?
Don’t be afraid to jump into the experience – you will be met with a very welcoming, friendly, and warm atmosphere! You will be able to share incredible experience in outstanding surroundings. Amanda, Cami and Louise are the best hosts and make you feel welcome from the moment you arrive and throughout the stay.
We miss you! When will we see you girl back here?
We miss you too and can’t wait to be back! We had both planned a trip back for New Year 2021, but unfortunately COVID restrictions made Morocco close its borders just a few days before our planned travels. So, if it wasn’t for the pandemic, we would for sure have been back several times since…
We are having an eye-out on future retreats coming up and dreaming of a week of work-action from there in the near future. Be sure that you will soon see us back on the rooftop of the VillaX.
Do you have any wishes for future retreats? Something special you would like to come back for?
For future retreats, it is hard to imagine a better week than we had for our NY trip in 2020. The combination of sunrise Yoga, beach and surfing during the day, and then ending the day with a sunset yoga was absolutely incredible! Not to forget the amazing meals prepared by the local chief. For a future retreat, we will look forward to visiting more of the nearby cities to explore even more of Morocco and the area!
Paris, 2021 Denmark, Bornholm, 2021
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