General, Marrakesh

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Photo Equipment: Marrakesh is a very touristy place and so the locals know that there will be pictures taken. Especially on Djemaa el Fna you will want to take pics of the artists, snake charmers and acrobats - and they will definitely come up to you and ask for money! With a good tele objective/zoom you can avoid much of the hassle!

Luggage and bags: For once I travelled light!! but......had to buy another small bag (45dh) to carry some of my shopping home. Shops on the edge of Djemma el Fnaa sell cases and holdalls at fixed prices. The souks offer fancier leather luggage

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: My visit was in January, I'd heard /read varying temperatures for day, and was told it was cold at night. Luckily I took a winter coat, fleece gloves/ hat/ scarf..it WAS that cold, sitting in Djemma el Fnaa at night.
Day time was warm enough for a long sleeved cotton shirt and cotton trousers/skirt.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Bring any medication/fave toiletries you can't live without.
The supermarkets sell most essentials, with recognisable brands. The Berber pharmacies stock alternative choices for skin care, remedies etc.

Photo Equipment: As much as you can carry!!
Shops around Djemma el Fnaa stock films. I noticed a couple of photo shops in Gueliz, I think on Bvd Mohammed Zerktouni.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Light clothing - its hot most of the year. In the city I felt more comfortable wearing a decent shirt and long trousers or long shorts.

Certainly in the countryside T-shirts are seen as 'underwear' and shorts can be seen as riskée(?). Women in our group were asked to pay a small 'fine' for walking through a village in short sleeves and shorts!!

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Toilet paper or tissue is absolutely essential. Outside of your nice hotel you won't find much toilet paper. Buy a cigarette lighter (or matches if you can find any) to burn the remains in the countryside, if you plan to poo on-the-hoof :-)

Miscellaneous: Loose change always useful for tips. Euros or dollars are better - they are smaller than British ££'s - if you don't yet have dirhams.

A decent hat that protects the back of your neck essential. Moroccan straw hats are always available and look the part!

Suntan cream and lip salve/protection obviously useful - my bottom lip got badly burnt :-/

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Marrakech, at least in spring, when I went, is a really warm place, but just during the day, infact after sunset, your t-shirt will have to be replaced by something warmer.Anyway, if you don't want to carry heavy legguage from your place, you can always buy something in the suks, always extremely cheap, just have a big patience in bargain.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Play it real safe here in Morocco. Keep your clothes looser and longer especially when you're out shopping in the souks or even, walking along the streets etc. Believe me, in cities like Marrakech, the men will not hesitate to gawk at you... It's like they could literally undress you with their stare! Eeks!!

It is not uncommon to see Moroccan women dress in colorful kaftans (is that what you call those long flowing outfits?) and covering up three-quarters of their faces along the streets and in the souks. So, this is a signal for you to also dress conservatively. Leave those shorts at home... Or you can use them when you're trudging on the sands of the Sahara Desert O.K.?

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: These are the absolute necessities. So DON'T ever forget to pack them along: Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Contact lens equipment and spare glasses.

You might also wish to consider bringing along
disposable contact lenses especially if you are going to be at a place with poor water supplies... and MAKE--UP (for women travelers). I never leave home without it. Bringing along a razorblade is also a very good idea. And lastly, hair care products (brushes, comb, blow dryer, hair gel, hair spray... Get the picture?)

Photo Equipment: I bring along TWO types of cameras with me and load them with TWO different types of films i.e. ASA200 film (for day) and the high speed Kodak 800 film for museums or places that do not allow flash photography.

So, the cameras that I'd bring are: (a) my Olympus mju Zoom (with wide-angle lens) which comes in a cool silver metallic color. I
usually use this camera for day photography. AND (b) my Pentax 150 Zoom which I use for places that DOES NOT allow flash photography.

These days, I also bring along the ultra-small Canon IXUS Zoom camera - smaller than the size
of my palm (and it also comes in a cool metallic silver shade). You can even hang this camera
around your neck and it'd still look cool on you. :-) This camera requires a special type of film (APS) to be used.

Miscellaneous: DON'T forget to bring along your ATM card and.... an open mind.



Remember, if your ATM card is linked to international networks like 'Cirrus', 'Plus',
'The Exchange' etc, you can withdraw money from any ATM machines in the world.

What's more, you'd even benefit from the low interbank exchange rates being given to you vis-a-vis if you were to change it at your local money-changer. I have survived on this method for ALL my trips abroad and so far, no ATM machines have failed me. Yes, even in the remotest villages in Africa and Morocco. :-)) If you haven't tried this method, I challenge you to do so today. And be pleasantly surprised at how much you can save at the
end of the day using this method. I kid you not!

'When you're traveling, ask the traveler for advice, not someone whose lameness keeps him in one place.' - Rumi

Luggage and bags:
As always, remember the mosques. Ladies, bring along a sarong, wrap, coverup garment, whatever you call it. In countries like this, a lot of normal wear is considered provocative, and actually, longer skirts and longer sleeves is a very good sun protection.

I'm sure you're convinced.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear:
Light summer wear is best anywhere in Africa unless you intend to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies:
Just the bare essentials, you aren't stepping off the end of the earth. Be sure that you know what kind of medications you normally take just in case something happens and they get left behind in a hotel room. Chances are, you will be able to purchase most prescription medications over the counter.

Miscellaneous:
In the heat of the day, watch for this fellow, or many like him. They are water carriers who will dispense water to you if you did not bring your own bottle along.





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Toiletries and Medical Supplies: I always carried a pack of wet wipes/baby wipes which proved extremely handy! Not only was it refreshing after a day out, but also gets the muck out of your hands before a meal.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: While travelling alone I always bring a false wedding ring....and it works ! ( I´m not married yet !).