Morocco: The 2009 Thanksgiving celebrity hotspot
The re-opening of the famous La Mamounia hotel, located in the city of Marrakesh, in the North African country of Morocco, was a hotbed of Hollywood glitterati as the celebration coincided with the festive Thanksgiving holiday.
It looks like the North African country of Morocco was the happening place to be this Thanksgiving as a bevy of high-octane celebrities ventured there for the extravagant celebration marking the reopening of Marrakesh's renowned La Mamounia hotel.
Hollywood elite such as Academy Award-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow, "Pirates of the Caribbean's" Orlando Bloom, Academy Award winning actor Adrien Brody and showrunner of the ABC smash "Ugly Betty," Salma Hayek, were in attendance.
"Friends" alum Jennifer Aniston, who also attended the festivities, voiced her thoughts about spending the holiday abroad, "It's sad to be away from America on Thanksgiving," said Aniston, who stopped in London before arriving in Marrakesh, "But I actually had my meal last week in L.A. with friends." She added, "I was last here 10 years ago, so I am happy to be back."
Paltrow, who attended the extravaganza without husband, Coldplay lead vocalist Chris Martin, expounded about her emotions about spending Thanksgiving in the country away from her loved ones, "I mean, my mom is in Los Angeles, my brother is in New York, and I am in London, but it's not a holiday there. My kids don't get off from school, so I figured I would take off for a few days, and it's wonderful to be here. It's my first time in Morocco."
Hayek also celebrated minus her other half, hubby, François-Henri Pinault, who remained in Paris with their 2-year-old daughter Valentina.
Meanwhile, "Pirates" Bloom flew from the U.S. and then changed planes in London so he could bring girlfriend, model Miranda Kerr as his date.
