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 | Marrakesh Warnings or Dangers | Tips 1 - 10 of 73 |  |
Popular Warnings or Dangers | Miscellaneous Warnings or Dangers Tips | All Tips (73)
 | |  |  | Taking Photographs. | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
Marrakesh is a photographers paradise! However, it's not always easy to take the shots that you want-
It's quite a busy place , so you might need to be very patient, to get an uninterrupted view, particularly at the popular sights
Although the locals are used to camera wielding tourists, they're understandably often not happy to be snapped, going about their daily lives, particularly the women. Although as a lone female traveller. I've often been asked to take pics of the local women!
I did find a few occasions, when I was taking a street scene in the medina or mellah, where I thought I'd taken care, not to get anyone in the shot, then realised that I'd inadvertantly upset a 'hidden' bystander' Also taking shots where a stall keeper was 'hidden' in the darkness or shadow, behind the stalls display.
An apology, and gesturing at the view I was taking, was usually accepted. I didn't have digital, only old fashioned film, so couldn't show them the pic as proof.
Djemma el Fnaa, is a place to be aware of who/what you're photographing- musicians, such as those in the photo, the watersellers, snake charmers etc are very quick to demand money, if they see (or think they see) you taking a photo. (The brighter their costume, the more likely they are to demand money!!! )
Tip - carry loose change in a seperate pocket, if you feel the need to tip these.(They'll ask for some exorbitant amount such as 200dh- I usually had 5 - 10 dh ready, if they protested, I explained it was all I had (with an apologetic shrug and smile!)
At night, the musicians and storytellers who are surrounded by their audience, standing or sitting in a circle etc are also on the look out for anyone taking photo's, and usually expect a donation.
These aren't here as a tourist attraction - they are continuing an age old tradition of story telling, which only the locals (who outnumber the gathered tourists) will understand.
I personally don't mind tipping these musicians etc, especially if they're as talented as most in Djemma El Fnaa- these performances have been some of the hi lights of my holiday! I spent most nights being invited to sit with one group, while they played.
I've also recorded some of them on MP3, so I've got some long lasting memories of their music and the atmosphere of Djemma el Fnaa Leave a Comment
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| | | | Henna 'artists' | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Of all the 'sales people/entertainers' I encountered in Djemma el Fnaa, I found the women who did henna work to be the most persistent!
On my travels, I've had various henna 'tattoos', and I might have had one done in Marrakesh, but I'd read other VTers pages, who'd recorded problems with prices etc.
I was wandering through the square, minding my own business, when I was accosted by one of these henna artists, who forcibly grabbed me by the arm, and thrust a catalogue of designs in my face.
I tried to tell her I wasn't interested, but she persisted in gripping me harder, then attempting to draw a squiggle on my hand. I managed to brush her aside, and luckily I had a tissue in my pocket to remove the henna paste.
However, I was left with an orange mark on my hand for a couple of days!
My advise is to walk away, with a firm No! Non! or La! -
There will be another potential 'mug' along soon Leave a Comment
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| | | | Getting Lost in the Souks! | Tip Rating: | | | | |
My first night in Marrakesh, I'd found my way into Djemma el Fnaa. Aware of warnings that it's easy to get lost, I carefully noted where I was...
After a pleasant evening, I left the square to get a taxi back to my hotel.
Setting off in the direction I thought I'd come from, it wasn't long before I realised I wasn't where I thought I was. I thought if I continued I'd come to a main road or landmark.
It was around midnight, and I was wandering further into the Mellah area (which I realised later when I checked my guide book)
The narrow alleyways were lined with 'hole in the wall' grill houses, workshops etc. Donkey carts passing by forced me to walk close to the walls. In front of me a group of youths suddenly started a fight, as soon as it started, it ended, with 2 boys ending up covered in blood!
I was starting to feel a bit uneasy now, if I turned back, I wasn't entirely sure of my route..luckily a taxi appeared at the road in front, and I got in.
Next to the driver was a woman, who I thought was his wife, but after a drive around the narrow alleyways, we reached a small square where she got out.
My taxi driver had to stop twice to ask directions to my hotel. As you can imagine, I was quite relieved to arrive back at my hotel. The taxi driver got a good tip!
Despite this experience, it didn't deter me from wandering about, or spoil my holiday. Just another of my travel adventures! Leave a Comment
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| | | | No Moroccan Dirhams in Duty Free | Tip Rating: | | | | |
You are not permitted to import or export the Moroccan Dirham.
Instead, you will have to obtain your Dirhams on arrival in Marrakech, and make sure you've spent them all (or changed them back into your home currency) before leaving the country.
Therefore, if the taxi driver hasn't taken all your remaining Dirhams on the journey back to the airport, you'll be looking to spend them at the airport. If you're like me, you'll use your excess currency in the airport's Duty Free shops to pick up last minute gifts for family and friends. However, this is not possible at Marrakech airport.
You are able to change your Dirhams at the airport, prior to passing through passport control. But once you've passed through passport control, your Dirhams are practically useless. However, unless you have been told about this, you will be completely oblivious to the fact that the pocketful of Dirhams you are carrying are about to become worthless until you arrive at the checkout to pay for your basketful of Toblerones!
The only place in the departure lounge where you can use your Dirhams is a small cafe which sells a small selection of sandwiches, pastries, bottled water and canned soft drinks.
The currency of choice in the departure lounge is the Euro. My advice would therefore be to change your spare Dirhams into Euros before passing through passport control.
If you've just got a bit of spare change to get rid of, there are charity boxes in the departure lounge where you can deposit your last few coins. Leave a Comment
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If You're booking a guided tour, check that the itinary is the same as printed in the flyer/poster.
During my week in Marrakesh, I'd seen most of the 'Must Sees' but I'd not visited Ben Yussef Medersa. I'd travelled with Panorama holidays, and they offered a half day 'Historical Marrakesh tour' which included Ben Youssef, Marrakesh Museum and the Kubba El Baroudine, ending with a mint tea in a cafe overlooking Djemma el Fnaa. I therefore booked this trip for 220 dh.
Our group consisted of myself and an english couple. Our first stop off was the Koutoubia mosque ( been there already, but learnt a bit more!) we then arrived at a familiar place- The Bahia Palace (Been there, enjoyed it, learnt a bit more!) We then arrived at a carpet shop!!!!! (been there, no intention of buying a carpet!!) I was getting a bit suspicious now- not much time for Ben Youssef, and these other places weren't mentioned in the advertised tour.
I had my mint tea, while the carpets were unfurled. The couple on our tour seemed to be interested in buying a carpet, and were going along with the sellers 'sales patter' so I decided this was the time to exit stage left!!
The guide apologised and said this was the usual tour that they did.
I did get a refund of 150 dh from my rep. and I did get to see Ben Youssef 2 days later.
Luckily, I was there for 5 days, and could 'catch up with my sightseeing' later, but If I was only there for a couple of days, I wouldn't have been so pleased Leave a Comment
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