Travel Tales Podcast
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California’s Mojave Desert is a long way from Johannesburg, South Africa.
But for Ash Maharaj, that’s where she found harmony.
The Harmony Motel to be exact. Leaving the chaos of post-apartheid South Africa after a brutal family tragedy, Ash found herself in Southern California being offered a real estate opportunity.
In 2004, Ash, a former teacher, took a chance and purchased the mid-century modern motel in what she thought, at first glance, was in the middle of nowhere.
True, the town of Twentynine Palms, CA is a dusty small town some 150 miles east of Los Angeles. But it was there that Ash created a new life for herself as a businesswoman and an active part of the community.
She also discovered her motel has a rock n’ roll connection – U2 stayed there during photo shoots for their seminal 1987 album, The Joshua Tree.
Music fans from all over the world have made a pilgrimage to the motel, and Ash welcomes them with open arms.
She also shares Tales of her immigrant experience, what it takes to be an innkeeper in the days of social media and Yelp reviews, and so much more.
Thanks, Ash! And keep on rockin’ for another 20 years!