you are in morocco,that is good,but WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
Seriously, visit the High Atlas on a day-trip from Marrakech. It may be hard to imagine now, but by July, you'll appreciate the cooler weather you get at elevation.
My friend and I have just book flights to Morocco today in a spontaneously in order to put 2 fingers up to this bloody cold weather. We are flying out mid July for 2 weeks; having done a little bit of research (using our previous travelling knowledge) we have realised we are posed with a couple of questions and would appreciate any advice on this country.
You organise budget accommodation on arrival but it depends if you want to spend time walking around in the heat to do so. I suggest you book your first night's accommodation in Marrakesh then you can look after that. You may also want to consider booking in Essaouira as July is a very busy time there. Catch the CTM or Supratours bus from Marrakesh to Essaouira. Regarding dress, wear a skirt or pants that go below the knee but doesn't necessarily have to go to the ankles and no shorts. Wear loose fitting tops that show no cleavage and short sleeves are ideal, although I sometimes wear sleeveless tops with collars that are loose without any problems. It will be hot so loose cotton clothes are ideal. No spaghetti string tops.
We fly into Marrakesh and thought we would book 1 night and then move out towards the coast:
Any good beaches we should head to? Essaouria
How is public transport? Good
Will be ok to book accommodation when we arrive? Better to do in advance
Is it a good country to barter in? Yes
We know it is a Muslim country but would be interested to know how restrictive we need to be on dress? Cover legs and arms
Any must see's? Anything that you have an interest in. Also depends on your time and where you plan to travel while there.
Any suggestions on budget accommodation in Marrakesh?
Any good beaches we should head to? How is public transport?
Will be ok to book accommodation when we arrive?
Is it a good country to barter in?
We know it is a Muslim country but would be interested to know how restrictive we need to be on dress?
Any must see's?
Well Morocco is fairly dry heat.
So this means that the sun will scoarch your skin. Wearing light, loose cotton shirts that cover your skin is MUCH more comfortable then wearing a tank top and shorts. Really.
For woman:
Light, loose, white cotton tunic and Linen/thin cotton pants. It is the best thing on earth. If I could get away wearing that in the States and people not looking at me funny I would. Every day. Because it's like wearing pajamas. Really comfy pajamas all day long.
Imagine vacationing and never getting out of comfy pajamas. That's what it was like for me in Morocco. I enjoyed it.
For men:
Rather then the upper body you have to worry more about your lower half. Legs are considered okay for impolite company. But if you plan on visiting a mosque, holy city (fantastic one by Meknes, by the way) or any formal sit down you want to keep your legs covered.
Also be aware that in the cities T shirts are not looked at twice. However, in more rural towns Tshirts are underwear. Dont wear the there. Find a light brethable shirt that covers your arms (i.e. long sleved t-shirt). Especially with the Berbers.
Also remember that the souks are usually fairly cool. About 20 degrees less inside then in direct sun. So walking around all day in souqs isn't going to be too painfull. And the mountain area is usually a more comfortable climate.
August will be hot. I'd like to lie to you and tell you it'll be a cakewalk. But I was there in August and it gets fairly opressive after a while.
During this time it might be best to act like a Moroccan. Do one major thing in the morning, eat lunch and take a nap, then go out again during dusk. You will literally be able to see the city come alive after the sun sets. Everybody goes out and sits in cafes and has picnics in the grass. It's good times.
They dont like all Foreign policy America shoots out into the world. Certain policies that have affected your average Moroccan (like mosques being closed in between prayer times). BUT they do love you. --and they are smart enough to know the difference between a tourist and a politician.
Because regardless of what you've read or heard Americans are unfailingly nice abroad. Really. Moroccans, and especially salesman/street performers, love Americans because 1. You guys tend to smile when you make eye contact with somebody creating an 'in'. This is not something done by many other tourists. and 2. You guys have a hard time saying no. Because you're too freaking polite for your own good.
I lived in Morocco off and on for about a year. I never ran into a single Moroccan that chastized me because I'm American. And I was there in the time of Bush when the Iraq war disaster was at it's height.
I met plenty of Moroccans that would make little jokes about the government. But not one ever came down on me as an individual. And I travelled from the North to the South. West to East.
But here is my disclaimer:
YOU MUST DRESS APPROPRIATLY.
That means this: Pants/skirt to the knees. Shirt to the elbows. No clevage
There are plenty of tourists that go around Morocco in less. There are plenty of Moroccans that go around in less. But the only way to guarantee that you will be treated with respect in a conservative Muslim country is to dress correctly. If you dont, and you end up in a more conservative neighborhood or in a rural town, I've heard of tourists being yelled at and even stones being thrown at them.
Nancy Ajram, a popular Lebonese star put on a concert in Marrakech. The locals decided she wasn't respecting Moroccan culture and dressing suggestively. They threw eggs at her. If they are gonna do it to a pop star, they might just do it to you.
Because essentially you would be disrespecting their culture. And if they respond negativly you cannot really blame anybody but yourself.
Also Moroccans have a very untactful form of humor. They make fun of things you might not think are funny. American decorum tells us we not make fun of weight, age, status or financial ruin. They dont have these rules. So if you have an extended conversation with a Moroccan they may hit a nerve with their form of humor. But they are not doing it to be mean and they can take it right back so hand it to them. Also looking a bit chubby is considered a compliment, not an insult. So if someone jokes around about a portruding belly, laugh at yourself. They are not being mean.
Also, if the situation is not inappropriate (and by inappropriate I mean a strange man is offering you an allready poured glass of tea at midnight in your hotel) then refusing food or tea is a sign of a impolite upbringing. IF you do have dinner with a Moroccan they will insist you eat. Say you are hungry before you are. Because they will not stop until you are stuffed. AND if you refuse their food/drink you might as well tell them they are a terrible cook. Because that's how they roll.
I'm thinking of heading to Essaouira in July, but I've read on some other blogs that it's really really windy. Is it too windy or is it ok in July as I'd really like to go to Essaouira?
And if somebody gives you a gift refuse it three times if you truley dont want it. That's culture. But if they offer it a fourth time, unless it's something terrible you might be better off taking it. Moroccans are persistant folk.
For the beach don't go to Eassouira - the beach there has little to recommend it unless your a surfer and the town is really crowded with holiday makers as it is cooler than elsewhere. For the beach go south of Agadir where you can get kilometres of sand and surf all to yourself! You will not die of heatstroke - some of us westerners have lived here for years and still live to tell the tale! It is hot to be sure but loose clothes make it bearable and perspiring cleanses the skin!! The amont you need to cover depends entirley where you are. At the corniche in Casa you can wear the same as in Europe. Go to villages and cover legs and arms. Onserve what others are wearing and accordingly.
Also if you dont want to be hassled by beggers/performers then simply never meet their gaze. IF they come up to you, ignore them like they are not there. It may sound rude but they wont take it personally. This is what they expect travel savvy folk to do.
/End Disclaimer
So yes, Morocco is a facinating and fun and lively country. The people there are AMAZING. No. Seriously. The most halarious and gracious people you will ever meet. And the food is delicious. I never, ever, hid my identity (except once and that was just to see if I could get away with being 'Moroccan' [I could.]) and I never ran into any kind of angry confrontation. Rather, I only ran into more requests to have tea with strangers.
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