Marrakech is one of the biggest cities in Morocco and often mistaken for a capital. It was even know as Morocco city. Actually Rabat is the Moroccan’s capital while Marrakech is the second largest city (after Casablanca). Influenced by both Islam and Christianity, it is colorful, pleasantly chaotic and unexpected. Many of the foreign tourists who visit is often leave it with mixed feelings or surprise, love, affection or frustration. Let’s see why this is happening.
Language
If you’re heading to Morocco you’d definitely consider some French lessons and you’d be absolutely sorry for not paying attention to your language courses in high school. Though big cities and travel centers are quite crowded with tourists from all over the world, there are still people who do not speak English. Surprised? You haven’t heard anything yet. Local people speak Moroccan Arabic, something that is quite different from the Mid-East one and slightly influenced by French and Spanish. In addition there are many other dialects impossible to be learnt for a few day holidays.
Guides
Learn to say La. La means No in Arabic and if you remember it you’ll have priceless knowledge. The truth is that you’re tourist, you’re dressed like a tourist and you look like walking check to every single local faux guide. These guys will offer you their services for a private tour in the city, henna tattoo, help to find a taxi or anything else. They are really creative and skilful at this. Now you might think that you have seen everything, but believe me, they are true professionals and have undisputable guerilla tactics to take your money. For example they can take you to a shop where the owner could give you a small present and then both of them will insist that you actually took it but didn’t pay it and will insist that its price is double, triple or unreasonably high.
What can you do in cases like this?
- Never accept help before asking how much it will cost. Even id the price seems acceptable, bargain and insist to lower it.
- Avoid eye contact. If you feel that someone keeps walking after you and bugging you with stupid offers, get into a shop or restaurant. Usually the owners will shoo away the pest.
- Be explicit. Use your La
Bargain
For someone who has grown up in a world of strict rules and fixed prices the local shopping habits might seem scary, strange and confusing. However for local sellers bargaining is popular, desired and entertaining process. Don’t be afraid of this. Marrakechians really love to lower the prices and you will disappoint them if you don’t negotiate the price. The whole process is quite deeper than the regular money-property exchange. It is about knowing each other better; it’s like a cat-and-mouse game; it’s like war and flirt. Be creative and you will be surprised how low the prices could go. A friend of mine came back last year with a tea set bought a hundred times lower than the original first price. First she pretended that she didn’t need it, then she said that she didn’t like it, then shed said that she prefers it in other colors, and so on and so on.
Men’s world
Marrakech is generally safe for women but frequent cat-calls could be shocking. If you’re female and you travel alone, just do not pay attention to the hisses you’ll hear. Do not look back, do not change your beahaviour. Think of them as the noise of the street traffic and do not take it too personally. If someone is after you for too long, look for busier streets, bus stops or other public places. Do not be afraid to ask for help and keep your senses. In addition pay attention to your dress-code. You might be on a holiday, feeling hot and full of wild ideas such as walking down the street almost topless but this definitely will give wrong signals to the locals. Respect their culture and be careful how short your shorts are.
What to see
- El Badi palace and the majestic view from it
- Koubba, beautiful and rich decorated building from the Almoravid dynasty and the typical architecture at that time (11c. AD)
- Bahia Palace and its big gardens
- Djemaa el Fna (read it as [ja:mi’al-fana:]) is huge market square located in the old city full of musicians, acrobats, snake charmers and storytellers.
- Shrob ou shouf fountain, drink from its water and look in it.
- Majorelle Garden, is actually owned by Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé and is one of the most calm and cozy places in the city.
Money
The local currency is the Moroccan dirham (Dh or MAD). Only local currency is officially accepted in Morocco, but in most places unofficially you can also pay in euros or US dollars.
Do not trust anyone who is trying to help you to exchange money. Usually this is scam. Instead use banks, exchange and post offices. They work till late and are secure for foreigners.
Fly
When you book look for RAK, this is the code for the Marrakech Airport in Morocco.
