Fes Tourist Traps

 
by stevemt
 
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    by stevemt
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    by RusskiPower
  • Instead of HomeLess, what about StreetMore?
      Instead of HomeLess, what about...
    by JamalMorelli
  • Narrow alleyways
      Narrow alleyways
    by 78Eva
 

Most Recent Tourist Traps in Fes

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Bag boys at the medina
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stevemt 744 reviews

If you are staying at the medina in a town/city in Morocco, your taxi/car will only be able to deliver you to the medina wall, (or just inside.) From here its all on foot - and the streets are incredibly narrow, small, and not named.

Before you have gotton out of the cab, you bags are already in a bag boys barrow who will take you to your hostel/hpotel/riad. You are in their hands because with out them you have no hope of finding your accomodation. They expect to be paid, and sometimes ask for more than the cab fare to get you to the medina. They have you over a barrel and they know it.

Pay up (it's cheap enough anyhows,) you won't need them again, and you will be wanting to check in and relax.

Written Oct 13, 2011

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Medina shopping
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VZ-Pam 144 reviews

Most people get lost in the ancient medieval medina of Fez. The labyrinthine medina is very hard to navigate and sometimes you may have to pay someone to show you the way out

Unique Suggestions: Try ask for directions to get out when you bought something from some merchants. Or else if you get lost, you may really need to bargain your way with the kids in the medina to get out

Written Dec 1, 2008

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Pretty much everything
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oceania26 235 reviews

Pretty much everything is a tourist trap in Fes but especially the tanneries. Don't be afraid to haggle the prices regardless of how intimidating the vendor may be...or just walk away, there's always a 20 others selling the same thing.

Written Nov 12, 2007

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Your Mind
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JamalMorelli 502 reviews
Instead of HomeLess, what about StreetMore?

Have you noticed the differences in the culture? Is it making you sick?

May I offer the suggestion that 'you' are making 'you' sick?

You feel it when you see some abjectly poor toothless guy pooing in the street near a bound and whip-scarred donkey who is making his own bed of poo while several petrol sniffing homeless children are trying to get a few dirhams from you by beg-shouting several languages to you...

Hold on! Let me tell you what I do: I personally set myself to remembering the story of "The Goldenish Monkey and his Eskimo Friend, Blind Goop"... it is a funny and adventure filled story; sometimes sad, sometimes rich with hope - For sure, it takes my mind off all that poverty business.

Hope that helps.

Fun Alternatives: When poverty screams in your face to respond, don't hear a shrill sound! Pretend you are hearing orgasmic moaning. That way, when confronted with human misery, you will think of something pleasurable instead.

Updated Jan 15, 2007

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Buying a Riad
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JamalMorelli 502 reviews

You may be pretty good at kicking someone when they're down - but are you so good as to know when they aren't actually down and are getting paid to be kicked (slowly, from your own account)?

Still thinking about that? Then you may be too dopey to surf the Riad Boom.

No matter what the hype: Riad shopping takes some actual working brains, patience and most of all - love. You'd better love that place or you are seriously wasting your money and your time. You would do better to stick that money in a trust, dawg. The real success stories of the riad boom in Fes are those who have given something of their hearts to this beautiful city. (Thank you, guys...t'barak Allah alikoom)

Talk to the vets of restoration in Fes for a sober view - google David Amster then give him a buzz before shopping. He is a deity of sorts on this subject and a good chap.

Updated Dec 29, 2006

Related to:
 Business Travel

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Buying Hash, Kif
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JamalMorelli 502 reviews

Apparently, the dealers keep close enough ties with the cops to reel you in - A Fassi version of "Catch and Release" where you lose a chunk of change.

The Gnawa are safe people to smoke with as hash is a sort of currency with them. Their music sounds better that way, too. Smoke your chocolate, if you feel safe enough where you are - but don't push it by carrying a chunk of it around.

Kif is cheaper, easier to find - and folks literally smoke this in the street without too much fear. Still, heads up, smokey.

Updated Dec 29, 2006

Related to:
 Romantic Travel and Honeymoons

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The Taxi Meter
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JamalMorelli 502 reviews

Don't exactly where this tip should go -

Just make sure the taxi driver clicks on the meter. Fes taxis are usually very good about it. If you forget, and the cat doesn't switch it on...you will be negotiating the ride afterward, which can be a drag.

Unique Suggestions: If you get totally stuck - know that most rides are going to only be between 5-15 DH in Fes. 15-20 max for something like the medina to Narjees.

Written Dec 29, 2006

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MANY TOURIST TRAPS HAVE MOVED!
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JamalMorelli 502 reviews

Check out more tourist traps here...

Morocco

Morocco

Morocco

Written Dec 19, 2006

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Volunteer Guides Cum Touts
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RusskiPower 34 reviews

Don't follow any guides that promsie to show you anything. You will end up in a handicraft/carpet shop and those people won't get off your back until you buy something or shake them off.

Unique Suggestions: Shaking them off is not a pleasant affair as they do not take a 'no' or a 'f*** off' for an answer.

Fun Alternatives: Remember: the best way to get out of a nasty situation is not to get yourself into one.

Written Oct 2, 2006

Related to:
 Adventure Travel

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Rug Salesman
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lexmark110 2 reviews

If you hire a guide to take you through the city he will always try to take you to lots of places to buy stuff. The tannery, crafts, pottery place...and he will make a little bit for everything for everything you buy. DO NOT BUY RUGS...they are a rip off and you can buy better rugs on Ebay from Iran that are much better and CHEAPER. They will try to tell you all sort of lies to get you to buy a rug and it is all lies.

Unique Suggestions: DO NOT DRINK TEA WITH THE SALESMAN!!! He will expect you to buy something if you do and tell you guide you want to leave Immediatly!!! With no exceptions

Written Aug 18, 2006

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 If you hire a guide to take you through the city he will always try to take you to lots of places to buy stuff. The tannery, crafts, pottery place...and he will... 

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  Fez to Casablanca by train Posted: Sun September 11, 2011 10:39 PM BST Hi I will be staying in Fez from 22nd September to the... 

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A: The train journey is about 4 hours 30mins. The cost will be about 100 Dirhams maybe a little bit more. Trains depart Fez every 2 hours to Casablanca from 7am to... 

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