Is anyone from Morocco?

Zanmato

Zanmato

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I am travelling to Marrakech for 7 days next week I have done a bit of research and booked a couple of things to do but if there is anyone with local knowledge about cool places to visit, nice things to eat etc it would be greatly appreciated!

Also would be good to know if I will get some relief from the absolutely relentless sales pressure and scams I read about if walking around with a kid? Rough ideas of prices for things in the souks (small lamps / tagines / spices / leather bag etc)

I've kind of spooked myself over preparing for it and exaggerated the idea of the Jemma el-Fnaa being a vipers nest of cutpurses and frauds - I'm sure it can't all be like that so kindly put me at ease haha

I've had a look at basic touristy stuff online and on YouTube so have some basic ideas but if anyone here is from there it would be cool to hear some insider perspective! Thanks
 
Zanmato said:
Also would be good to know if I will get some relief from the absolutely relentless sales pressure and scams I read about if walking around with a kid? Rough ideas of prices for things in the souks (small lamps / tagines / spices / leather bag etc)

I've had a look at basic touristy stuff online and on YouTube so have some basic ideas but if anyone here is from there it would be cool to hear some insider perspective! Thanks
Click to expand...

I would recommend staying at a riad. They're beautiful, the service is impeccable, they're ancient and interesting, and the prices are comparable to hotels. I usually stay at Riad El Fenn when I'm in Marrakech, but there are hundreds. I also highly recommend eating at La Grande Table Marocaine, which is an unforgettable dining experience through and through. The hotel there is great (Royal Mansour), but a bit pricey. Go to the Medina as well...just walk around, have a good time, and try not to get lost. A guide is recommended but not necessary.

Do NOT walk around with those street kids--don't even engage with them. Just say "no English" and keep walking. They essentially act super friendly, try to guide you around, then they'll demand money and even threaten you. I have literally had to pump fake and call the cops on two twelve-year-olds.

Keep in mind, Morocco works largely off the tourist industry and it's engrained in their culture. So even if you get a private tour with a specific itinerary, your guide WILL stop you unprompted by the carpet/rug place, the silversmith, the apothecary, the confectionary, etc. because that's just how they work as a people. Accept it, enjoy the tea, and say "no thank you" unless you want to buy something. Haggling is also a part of their culture, so be prepared for that as well. I had a rug merchant call his wife and tell her he was going to get fired because he sold me an item too cheap. Also, do not fall for the "we will send you this item after it is made by hand bespoke just for you." They'll send it, but it will be machine made.

It's a fascinating, weird, and interesting place with a lot of history.

I certainly have felt uncomfortable there before, but never truly unsafe. Stay away from talking about politics and religion and you'll be all right. Have fun!
 
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Yes I have been. Fascinating, intense place. Some random thoughts:
-I think it s overall a safe city but I would not recommend walking around the souk's small streets at night alone.
- scammers and beggars all over the place. Remain polite when refusing their shit but don't pay too much attention to them because it gets old fast.
- the souk can be overwhelming. It's a labyrinth in which you can get lost (I got lost in there) while feeling almost underground because you hardly see the sky. Then, on top of that, in my case I felt in hostile territory becauss of all the hustlers coming to you every 20 seconds. In the end I got scammed by some dude to whom I asked to show me the way out and in the end of course he asked for money and I gave him 5€ equivalent. Who GAF lol but still I felt scammed.
- eating and drinking? The souk is filled with literal hole in the wall places where you can eat. It's cheap but not that cheap. Street food is big there but I typically avoid it for fear of the shits even if some of that stuff looked amazing. I was there only once but if I had to recommend a place, I would say go to the spice market and look for rooftop terrasses. Of and drink as much thé à la menthe while you are there it's amazing.
- don't buy too much stuff there it's typically trash, although do buy some babouche. And negociate. A good price is the price they refused (which means allowing you to walk out the shop) plus a little bit on top.
- i think Morocco is generally safe for tourists who behave correctly. But I personally wouldn't feel 100% at ease getting lost in the souk with my family because you feel vulnerable.
- Morocco is possibly the most liberal arab/north african country there is but it is still no place to fuck around IMO. Keep your political opinions to yourself and do not talk about their king.
- have fun, I have very fond memories of Marrakesh. It has a unique atmosphere. Morrocans are typically scammers that's true but they are also extremely talkative, curious creatures who love to have random convos with random people.
 
I got some Moroccan hash one time. It was really good.
 
SFMMA said:
I would recommend staying at a riad. They're beautiful, the service is impeccable, they're ancient and interesting, the prices are comparable to hotels. I usually stay at Riad El Fenn when I'm in Marrakech, but there are hundreds. I also highly recommend eating at La Grande Table Marocaine, which is an unforgettable dining experience through and through. The hotel there is great (Royal Mansour), but a bit pricey. Go to the Medina as well...just walk around, have a good time, and try not to get lost. A guide is recommended but not necessary.

Do NOT walk around with those street kids--don't even engage with them. Just say "no English" and keep walking. The essentially act super friendly, try to guide you around, then they'll demand money and even threaten you. I have literally had to pump fake and call the cop on two twelve-year-olds.

Keep in mind, Morocco works largely off the tourist industry and it's engrained in their culture. So even if you get a private tour with a specific itinerary, your guide WILL stop you unprompted by the carpet/rug place, the silversmith, the apothecary, the confectionary, etc. because that's just how they work as a people. Accept it, enjoy the tea, and say "no thank you" unless you want to buy something. Haggling is also a part of their culture, so be prepared for that as well. I had a rug merchant call his wife and tell her he was going to get fired because he sold me an item too cheap. Also, do not fall for the "we will send you this item after it is made by hand bespoke just for you." They'll send it, but it will be machine made.

It's a fascinating, weird, and interesting place with a lot of history.

I certainly have felt uncomfortable there before, but never truly unsafe. Stay away from talking about politics and religion and you'll be all right. Have fun!
Click to expand...
Haha that guy knows his shit. Much overlap with my post.
 
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Never been but heard stories about criticizing the gov't / royalty in that area. Don't. No blogs, youtube, or social media posts about something you don't like until you're back home and don't plan to return. It could result in fines and/or jail time.

Hope you have a good time dude. Any time I hear Morocco, always think about Lee Murray and what could've been.
 
I've got a hotel booked which is a bit remote but gives us some space away from the craziness. I've heard the taxi drivers take the piss with their fees and are the biggest scammers, I don't like the idea of everyone having their hand out. I'm fine with paying a few pounds more for something if I like it and the merchant makes an honest living but I hate reading about people getting charged 10x the cost and all that. Sounds like thar if you are savvy it's ok.

Will be going in a hot air balloon trip over the Atlas mountains next Wednesday, already scared but having to pretend it's no big deal now that I see my son is getting nervous too lol
 
supermurph said:
Never been but heard stories about criticizing the gov't / royalty in that area. Don't. No blogs, youtube, or social media posts about something you don't like until you're back home and don't plan to return. It could result in fines and/or jail time.

Hope you have a good time dude. Any time I hear Morocco, always think about Lee Murray and what could've been.
Click to expand...
I'm not one for streaming and taking pics all the time, but I have some pretty strong and unpleasant views about Islam (not Muslims as peolle but Islam as a political ideology) but my lips will definitely be zipped!
 
bandicoot said:
I got some Moroccan hash one time. It was really good.
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If I wasn't with my son I'd try haha but have to keep up the pretence of being a good moral person until he's old enough to see through it
 
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