Marrakech - Morocco
Discussion
astonluv said:
Your comments are unnecessarily inflammatory ... AGAIN!!
Assume that was aimed at ginettajoe and SAS crack team of special forces, as had ham was very polite in the face of such b
ks.Anyway I went to Marrekech and stayed in a Riad here http://www.darseven.com which was far nicer than most hotels, really private with a roof terrace.
Yes the locals hassle you but develop a thick skin and remain polite and its fine. Most of the souk is interesting but surprisingly expensive, a few of the items we were looking at we figured were cheaper in the UK!
Adam B said:
astonluv said:
Your comments are unnecessarily inflammatory ... AGAIN!!
Assume that was aimed at ginettajoe and SAS crack team of special forces, as had ham was very polite in the face of such bks.Anyway I went to Marrekech and stayed in a Riad here http://www.darseven.com which was far nicer than most hotels, really private with a roof terrace.
Yes the locals hassle you but develop a thick skin and remain polite and its fine. Most of the souk is interesting but surprisingly expensive, a few of the items we were looking at we figured were cheaper in the UK!
Edited by astonluv on Wednesday 7th April 18:34
astonluv said:
Adam B said:
astonluv said:
Your comments are unnecessarily inflammatory ... AGAIN!!
Assume that was aimed at ginettajoe and SAS crack team of special forces, as had ham was very polite in the face of such bks.Anyway I went to Marrekech and stayed in a Riad here http://www.darseven.com which was far nicer than most hotels, really private with a roof terrace.
Yes the locals hassle you but develop a thick skin and remain polite and its fine. Most of the souk is interesting but surprisingly expensive, a few of the items we were looking at we figured were cheaper in the UK!
astonluv said:
Adam B said:
astonluv said:
Your comments are unnecessarily inflammatory ... AGAIN!!
Assume that was aimed at ginettajoe and SAS crack team of special forces, as had ham was very polite in the face of such bks.Anyway I went to Marrekech and stayed in a Riad here http://www.darseven.com which was far nicer than most hotels, really private with a roof terrace.
Yes the locals hassle you but develop a thick skin and remain polite and its fine. Most of the souk is interesting but surprisingly expensive, a few of the items we were looking at we figured were cheaper in the UK!
Edited by astonluv on Wednesday 7th April 18:34
. I'll refrain from offering a reply, since this would just prolong this silliness and is not what the OP intended for this thread, I'm sure. I'm not sure what it is right now, but there seems to be an awful lot of over reaction to what is really only each other's opinions. Hey ho, and OP, I do apologise if all this needless rubbish has redirected from your original post, please do go and enjoy Marrakech.
Just back from a long weekend in Marrakech. My experience :
- stayed in a raid in the old town. It was hidden down an alley about 5mins from the main square so a great location.
- the locals. You get the usual stall owners wanting to sell you stuff if you so much as look in their direction but just say 'no' politely and ignore them. The only place I got any trouble was on the road out to the tanneries. I had a good map and was happy to find the place on my own. The touts woulds not leave me alone and having about 4 of them around me was intimidating but I just carried on and ignored them, saw what I wanted and left. One of them asked me if I was a Jew when I ignored them - presumably meant as the worst insult from these people. No problems with the rest of the locals.
- Went for tour up in Atlas mountains - great fun and so different to Marrakech it made a real change.
- stayed in a raid in the old town. It was hidden down an alley about 5mins from the main square so a great location.
- the locals. You get the usual stall owners wanting to sell you stuff if you so much as look in their direction but just say 'no' politely and ignore them. The only place I got any trouble was on the road out to the tanneries. I had a good map and was happy to find the place on my own. The touts woulds not leave me alone and having about 4 of them around me was intimidating but I just carried on and ignored them, saw what I wanted and left. One of them asked me if I was a Jew when I ignored them - presumably meant as the worst insult from these people. No problems with the rest of the locals.
- Went for tour up in Atlas mountains - great fun and so different to Marrakech it made a real change.
TVR Moneypit said:
A well traveled mate of mine went to Morocco. He described it as the asshole of the earth, the worst place he has ever been to, and an expensive mistake. In fact, he even went so far as to say that the place had absolutely no redemming features at all.
A few other people that I have met have had simular opinions.
That's because you they got hassled so badly. A few other people that I have met have had simular opinions.
It does take a firm hand when you are out there. Some people get it from the start, we took a bit of getting used to it.
Sounds strange, but dealing with the Arab Moroccans is hard work. Once you get the Berber Moroccans you feel less hunted.
don't consider myself to be a morocco expert but have spent 3 weeks out there- saying it has no redeeming features is just not correct. Now we found some things really hard- kids throwing stones at the trucks, weeing in our direction as we passed, trying to open doors whilst moving, lying to us to con money, rubbish EVERYWHERE etc etc
BUT they are so poor compared to us- get out into the country side- these guys don't even have shoes so i forgave them trying to get an extra penny.
They can also be lovely- we had a broken tyre- an extremely helpful copper helped us to the local mechanics place who using a chisel to change a massive 4x4 tyre- and he sweated his bks off- he wouldn't take a penny because he felt bad that his country had ruined our tyre. In response we used some of our kit to fix one of his customers vehicles- he was over the moon!
We took a locals bus from the campsite in fez- the conductor went out of his way to help, really smiley, stopped the bus early just for us etc etc- no money just friendly- the people on the bus coudln't ahve been more friendly either. Whilst in the market in fez, my other half was buying croissant at the bakers and a street seller asked me if i wanted to try some snails - lovely they wree too- again no charge.
We found that if you stop and talk then people are lovely, if you can get past them seeing you as just a pot of money. If you aren't interested then just say "La Shukran" firmly and carry on going. it just takes a bit of practice.
as for haggling- they love it, understand you will pay more than locals (which is fair- we are FAR better off), but you will pay FAR less than at home- take their starting price and divide by 4 (or 10 if you are feeling brave), then go from there. We took home 4 tagines, 8 pretty serving bowls, 2 big cooking dishes all for 12 quid. Tagines are better than you can buy in the UK.
We were very lucky to find a few routes out in the country that never saw tourists- they people were SO lovely- waved, said hello, stopped to chat (usa AND them in broken french), even stopped for coffee a couple of times.
If you approach the place like a trip to Spain or the US then you will struggle- go to make contact and not feel intimidated then yuou'll have a lot of fun.
If you want to do it the really hard way, try importing vehicles into the country- it makes flying in look like a piece of piss
BUT they are so poor compared to us- get out into the country side- these guys don't even have shoes so i forgave them trying to get an extra penny.
They can also be lovely- we had a broken tyre- an extremely helpful copper helped us to the local mechanics place who using a chisel to change a massive 4x4 tyre- and he sweated his b
ks off- he wouldn't take a penny because he felt bad that his country had ruined our tyre. In response we used some of our kit to fix one of his customers vehicles- he was over the moon! We took a locals bus from the campsite in fez- the conductor went out of his way to help, really smiley, stopped the bus early just for us etc etc- no money just friendly- the people on the bus coudln't ahve been more friendly either. Whilst in the market in fez, my other half was buying croissant at the bakers and a street seller asked me if i wanted to try some snails - lovely they wree too- again no charge.
We found that if you stop and talk then people are lovely, if you can get past them seeing you as just a pot of money. If you aren't interested then just say "La Shukran" firmly and carry on going. it just takes a bit of practice.
as for haggling- they love it, understand you will pay more than locals (which is fair- we are FAR better off), but you will pay FAR less than at home- take their starting price and divide by 4 (or 10 if you are feeling brave), then go from there. We took home 4 tagines, 8 pretty serving bowls, 2 big cooking dishes all for 12 quid. Tagines are better than you can buy in the UK.
We were very lucky to find a few routes out in the country that never saw tourists- they people were SO lovely- waved, said hello, stopped to chat (usa AND them in broken french), even stopped for coffee a couple of times.
If you approach the place like a trip to Spain or the US then you will struggle- go to make contact and not feel intimidated then yuou'll have a lot of fun.
If you want to do it the really hard way, try importing vehicles into the country- it makes flying in look like a piece of piss
pugwash4x4 said:
If you want to do it the really hard way, try importing vehicles into the country- it makes flying in look like a piece of piss
That's the way we do it every time. To say its stressful is an understatement.However, I have the number of my own guide (not joking), I managed to rename him Mo. So whenever I turn up, I just ask for Mo and someone goes off and gets him!
Pay 20-30E or so to make things go easily, passports get done before everyone else, car paperwork jumps all the queues, and the best bit is that you get let out of the pen first because the guards know you paid a bribe.
I'm off to Marrakesh next week and am looking forward to it yet a little nervous.
My question is as a bloke is it fine for me to wear shorts. I know there are certian types of clothing an English woman can wear but what about an English man. I don't intend on wearing a football shirt, but can I get away with shorts and a t-shirt. I'd like to fit in as much as possible (if that's possible).
Also can anyone recomend a guide or is it best to sort that out with the people we are staying with.
Any help would be great.
Shaun
My question is as a bloke is it fine for me to wear shorts. I know there are certian types of clothing an English woman can wear but what about an English man. I don't intend on wearing a football shirt, but can I get away with shorts and a t-shirt. I'd like to fit in as much as possible (if that's possible).
Also can anyone recomend a guide or is it best to sort that out with the people we are staying with.
Any help would be great.
Shaun
Ozmira said:
I'm off to Marrakesh next week and am looking forward to it yet a little nervous.
My question is as a bloke is it fine for me to wear shorts. I know there are certian types of clothing an English woman can wear but what about an English man. I don't intend on wearing a football shirt, but can I get away with shorts and a t-shirt. I'd like to fit in as much as possible (if that's possible).
Also can anyone recomend a guide or is it best to sort that out with the people we are staying with.
Any help would be great.
Shaun
Depends what you want to do. Some places of worship may demand long trousers. With the typical tourist stuff you should get away with t-shirt/short combo - that's what most English people seemed to be wearing when I was out there.My question is as a bloke is it fine for me to wear shorts. I know there are certian types of clothing an English woman can wear but what about an English man. I don't intend on wearing a football shirt, but can I get away with shorts and a t-shirt. I'd like to fit in as much as possible (if that's possible).
Also can anyone recomend a guide or is it best to sort that out with the people we are staying with.
Any help would be great.
Shaun
g3org3y said:
Ozmira said:
I'm off to Marrakesh next week and am looking forward to it yet a little nervous.
My question is as a bloke is it fine for me to wear shorts. I know there are certian types of clothing an English woman can wear but what about an English man. I don't intend on wearing a football shirt, but can I get away with shorts and a t-shirt. I'd like to fit in as much as possible (if that's possible).
Also can anyone recomend a guide or is it best to sort that out with the people we are staying with.
Any help would be great.
Shaun
Depends what you want to do. Some places of worship may demand long trousers. With the typical tourist stuff you should get away with t-shirt/short combo - that's what most English people seemed to be wearing when I was out there.My question is as a bloke is it fine for me to wear shorts. I know there are certian types of clothing an English woman can wear but what about an English man. I don't intend on wearing a football shirt, but can I get away with shorts and a t-shirt. I'd like to fit in as much as possible (if that's possible).
Also can anyone recomend a guide or is it best to sort that out with the people we are staying with.
Any help would be great.
Shaun
I'm back there for two weeks from next Sunday, so if you want any specific advice, etc, PM me.
Ozmira said:
If by next Sunday you mean the 8th that's when we will be there. We fly out early on Sunday morning. Another question, is it best to take local currency, us dollars, euros or pounds. If local currency should I get it here or there?
Moroccan Dirham is a closed currency roughly pegged to the Euro. You are not supposed to take more than a few pounds worth in or out, technically it can be confiscated. Presuming you are flying into Marrakech Menara Airport at a reasonable time there are at least 2 places you can change currency and changing sterling is fine.The medina can appear overwhelming, people will attempt to get you to spend money on all manner of tat, or drape you with random animals and demand money. they can appear rude but it is rarely a dangerous place and most crime is non violent theft like pick pocketing (sometimes the prices you pay in the souks can be daylight robbery though if you are not careful!) The area relies heavily on tourism and there are lots of tourist police keeping an eye on things.
Get involved, be respectful to the countries cultures, be firm but polite and you will have lots of fun its a great place!
Andy
As the OP I have marvelled at the number of different views and was surprised the thread resurfaced after such a long time. Thanks to all for the myriad of views. As it happens the negaitve ones for a visit to Marrakech have meant that this trip needs more attention to detail as the constant hassling will be too much for us to bear, if it really is constant. This year it'll be Jamaica for two weeks and a lot more planning for the trip to Morocco. Thanks guys and girls. Happy travelling!
Ozmira said:
If by next Sunday you mean the 8th that's when we will be there. We fly out early on Sunday morning. Another question, is it best to take local currency, us dollars, euros or pounds. If local currency should I get it here or there?
According to the temp guage outside the Marrakech station, it's 45 degrees today.....and it's a little cloudy. Expect it to get hotter Monday/Tuesday!Already done the supermarket run, have a cold Flag Speciale in my hand, my feet now dangling in the pool, perusing PH, life couldn't be better!
We always use the ATMs here, get a good rate...
andy ted said:
The medina can appear overwhelming, people will attempt to get you to spend money on all manner of tat, or drape you with random animals and demand money. they can appear rude but it is rarely a dangerous place and most crime is non violent theft like pick pocketing (sometimes the prices you pay in the souks can be daylight robbery though if you are not careful!) The area relies heavily on tourism and there are lots of tourist police keeping an eye on things.
Get involved, be respectful to the countries cultures, be firm but polite and you will have lots of fun its a great place!
Andy
Pretty much sums it up for me. Went for a few days in April. Didn't get round to doing half the things on my list but that was mainly because it was my first "real holiday" and I wasn't quite prepeared for the heat despite having visited a few hot places before.Get involved, be respectful to the countries cultures, be firm but polite and you will have lots of fun its a great place!
Andy
The Djemaa el fna is amazing, and you could spend hours in the souks haggeling away. Well worth a visit, I will be going back at some point just so I can actually see the stuff I missed out on
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