Local Traditions, Marrakesh

Favorite thing: While Arabic is the first language of Morocco, French is spoken so widely it might almost be considered a dual language country, at least here in Marrakesh. Street signs are in both languages, many shop signs indeed are only in French, and café menus are always available in French (and only occasionally in English). We found that while many people working with tourists will say they speak English, this was often very limited; however their French was generally much more fluent, and by using what we knew of that language we got on very well. I think without any French (or Arabic, naturally) we would have found it much harder, especially when dealing with the various people we met as a result of my fall – the doctors, staff in the clinic and in the pharmacies where I paid for and had the injections that were prescribed for me. Our riad too, Les Lauriers Blancs, was owned and run, as so many of them are, by an ex-pat French couple who spoke only very limited English, so being able to converse with them in French was really good – both from a practical point of view and also because it meant we were able to get to know them better. So if you have a little knowledge of French from your school days, do brush it up before you go to Morocco as you’ll find it really useful.

Favorite thing: Dirham is the official currency in Morocco. At the time of my visit in Nov/Dec 2006, the exchange rate was 1 euro = 10 dirhams; US$ 1 = 8.5 dirhams. Djemaa el Fna area has several banks with cash machines where one could withdraw dirhams. This is also the case along Avenue Mohamed V in Guéliz, the new city. However, many people will accept US dollars or Euros (including taxis) if one is not carrying dirhams. I suggest you bring a lot of small euro/usd change for tips or small purchases, just in case.

Favorite thing: While Arabic is the official language in Morocco, French is nearly as important. It is the second language in Morocco and spoken practically by everyone. If you speak some French, you will inevitably find yourself using it, and would have an easier time. However, most shopkeepers in the souks speak at least some English, Spanish and other languages, learnt by dealing with tourists, to increase the likelihood of selling. This is not the case with taxi drivers and the general public.

Favorite thing: The Djemaa el Fna square is a unique cultural experience which, not in vain, has been listed by the UNESCO as a cultural heritage of the world. Not because of the architecture of the buildings which line the square, which is rather anodine and not appealing at all, but because of the magic and autenticity of the traditions that take place here every day (magicians, storytellers, acrobats...). The most amazing thing is that most of the things happen here as if the tourists didn't exist and it has not become an artificial show. The colours, smells and sounds of this square will remain forever in your mind.

The atmosphere in the sooks is also unique, although, being one of the tourist Meccahs in Morocco, Marrakesh is not the cheapest place in Marocco to buy handycrafts.

Favorite thing: HOTELS AND ALTERNATIVES
Marrakech has got a couple of the lousiest and cheapest hotels in the whole country, and one of the most beautiful and exclusive hotels in the world. And everything in between.
While the actual number of hotels and hotel rooms is high, do not take anything for granted. You do well in booking your hotel room in advance, even if it is no more than the day before. But normally you will find hotel rooms if you look around in the middle or the afternoon.
Prices are quite OK for all classes. While you might hear recommendations saying that you should avoid staying in one of the hotels near Jemaa l-Fna, because of dangers of theft, this is still the most interesting area in Marrakech, and not as bad as its reputation.

RESTAURANTS AND ALTERNATIVES
Eating can be everything from rock-bottom cheap to very, very expensive. The rule applies for Marrakech as everywhere else in Morocco: Cheap places with lots of Moroccan customers offer the best food. Only to be challenged by the top restaurants in town.
Mid-price restaurants can easily be boring and not worth the extra you pay from one of the simple places.
When night falls, the Jemaa l-Fna turns into a fair of great food stalls, serving fried food of all sorts. This is a spectacle not to be missed, and the food is great, even if it is more expensive than elsewhere in Morocco.

NIGHTLIFE
Marrakech has some reputation for its nightlife in Morocco, with a large number of nightclubs and discotheques. You should, however, note that only very few of these have a local female clientele that is not at work!
Some very few places are popular with young people of Marrakech of both sexes, and sometimes it is not expected that a foreigner will be interested in visiting such a place.
Marrakech has many sophisticated night clubs with live music, entertainment, food and expensive drinks.

Fondest memory: TRANSPORT
Marrekech connects to all imaginable places. There are numerous connections going by bus or shared taxis, and they leave frequently. With very few exeptions, these will not ask for higher prices because you're a foreigner.
The only problem of Marrakech to be noted, is that there are several stations spread all around the city. A taxi driver will normally know which station applies for what destination. But if you are heading in direction of a smaller destination, even well-informed taxi drivers can know less than they claim to know, so asking around can be of great help.
Marrakech has also got train as a possible transportation form, but there is only one line, which heads directly north to Casablanca.
Not bad if you're going to Ouarzazate, is going by air. This is far more expensive than bus or taxi, but it will save you from more than 10 hours of travelling (which is not so bad, after all, considering the scenery). Flights even connect you to Casablanca, but is more an option for people in a rush.

IMPORTANT
Marrakech is much more pleasant for tourists than it used to be. The introduction of a tourist brigade, involves that not only your health is protected, but also everything else. The tourist brigade will even walk you back to the shop if you have been tricked into paying too much for a souvenir.
Marrakech should be avoided in the middle of summer, unless heat is no problem for you. July and August can be dangerous for visitors who are used to colder climate.

Favorite thing: In Marrakech you can see women dressed as occidental women ... but if you don't want to be looked or men to say you things ... just try to use big things ...
I walked after women that wear tight trousers or Tshirts ... and they tell them things ... and look at them very much ... (they don't say bad things .. only .. I supouse ... nice things ...)
I used always big bluse ... and a scarf for my neck ... and ... they didn't disturbed me so much ...
at night ... some times ... as I have a little blond my hair ... I covered my head ... is not that I had to ... but ... just because I felt better ...
you don't have to dress like the pic woman

Favorite thing: The first morning I was at Marrakech I asked a guide to show me the city ... to learn how to move and to explain me a little of the better monuments ... and souk ....

He was a very good guide of about my age, and I had a very good time with him. He took me to Saadies Tombs .. to Bahia Palais, to Merdesa ... and to the souk ...
I bought with him few things ... and ... help me to learn how to bargain ... :)))))))

The man in the pic is a tipical guide ... with the chilaba ...Its not minen ... the guide that helped me was dress normaly ...

you can ask for a guide at the tourist office .. but also you will find them anywhere ...

120 dirham half day aprox
250 dirham all day aprox

Favorite thing: You might be walking down a street minding your own business, and without warning a local will pounce trying to interest you in anything from restaurants, traditional berber robes to weed (called kif in Morocco)

Fondest memory: If you are not interested in what they have to offer, be decisive and make an excuse, a lot of the hustlers pounce on tourists' indecision and make you do/buy things you really don't need.