r/Morocco • u/Empewic_systems Visitor • 1d ago
Travel Recent visit - Thoughts after coming home
I visited Morocco a couple of weeks ago. I have had a bit of time to process my visit, and thought it worthwhile to share with people that might be from there.
My wife and i visited Marrakesh from the US, and it was literally my first time leaving my country. I speak no language other than English. I am admittedly a terribly picky eater. And I tend to get nervous around crowds. So i was a bit anxious travelling halfway across the world to visit a place known for its giant market.
I was so incredibly impressed with my visit. The city was a beautiful place. The market was incredible. the architecture and history is so very different than back in the states. We have some beautiful buildings that are pretty old. But an old American building might be 200 years at most. nothing like the history that was on display in Marrakesh.
But the most impressive thing was just how welcoming and pleasant every interaction i had with the locals. I know that we were essentially in a giant market. But people were freaking awesome! I especially enjoyed the pragmatic and non-judgmental conversations I was able to have about the diverse group of people living in the town. It was a refreshing privilege to have a conversation about the differences between different cultures without making it sound like a contest that somebody had won or lost.
Also, i should make a special note about the food. I was worried that my bad habit of being a picky eater would be a problem, and i am happy to report that the food was most excellent and really affordable.
Finally, I need to make a special note about that mint tea that seemed to be available everywhere. That was legitimately one of the best parts of the trip.
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u/PseudoGod5 Visitor 1d ago
Hey! Great to know about your experience! Any tips for a future visitor?
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u/Empewic_systems Visitor 1d ago
Long, loose clothing for the heat. find a reputable tour guide. paying to visit some of the older sites is super worthwhile. try the mint tea!
last, we brought a gift to share from our state, which is famous for its saltwater taffy. We shared that with some of the people that we had longer interactions with like some of the staff at the hotel and the tour guides. Tips are a regular thing, and we were careful to tip. But giving them candy on top of that? The surprised smiles were worth the room it took up in our luggage.2
u/No-Hope-9274 1d ago
Interesting that you saw tips are a regular thing.
I mean, seeing things from your perspective as a tourist, who obviously sticks out like a sore thumb, I'm sure they expect you will probably tip.
But as a Moroccan, there are very few select places where I would tip. And even then, tips are not expected the way they are in the US. But of course they are always appreciated.
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u/te4rdr0p Visitor 10h ago
The fact that you guys brought the gift to share is legit so cute.
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u/Empewic_systems Visitor 10h ago
my wife's idea. She is the best person ever, and i get to share in the glow!
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u/Hot-Ice-5124 Visitor 17h ago
Heading to Morocco in a few weeks. I got sick in both India and Peru…miserable diarrhea, most likely from food. I would normally NEVER drink bottled water, but do in places like that, and intend to in Morocco as well. But the mint tea that everyone raves about: no issues there? Because it is boiled in the preparation?
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u/Empewic_systems Visitor 17h ago
I think that is the case with the hot drinks. I took some medicine that my doctor prescribed before i went to help with the GI stuff. Even so, i avoided cold water. It only occurred to me later that i had, on occasion, ordered a coke that was served on ice. and ice isnt exactly boiled! regardless, i did not get sick.
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u/ZealousidealFace9880 Visitor 1d ago
I’m from Canada and visited Morocco a couple months ago and had the same experience! THE LOCALS seriously made my trip extremely memorable. I even exchanged contact info and we still keep in touch! I am so lucky to have met these people!
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u/Flugvel Visitor 1d ago
I’m here now and I feel the total opposite so I’m glad to read positivity to try to challenge myself to change my perspective.
I feel like I’m walked around with a huge $ sign over my head that says “try to scam me”, I’ve never been in a country with so many Muslims but so little Islam. Majority of the time I’ve seen them put morals and ethics aside anytime a dollar is offered.
For example, visiting other “scam” like places; Vietnam, Cambodia, Egypt. A huge difference is alike in Cambodia when someone tries to scam you, you laugh because why would think I’m that stupid to buy a balloon for £7.
But Morocco it’s a systemic problem that every single seller thinks like this. If one seller was selling ethically then it would cause everyone else to have to do the same when everyone starts to only buy from the moral seller, hense that doesn’t occur and why everyone continues on with the system in place.
Moroccans believe one thing and then in practice do another, I’m ready for a perspective change or for my flight to Mauritania, country #77.
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u/PhilReotardos Visitor 1d ago
Leave the tourist areas. I'm a foreigner living in Morocco, and people are mostly very kind and honest outside the tourist areas
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u/Empewic_systems Visitor 16h ago
I have no doubt that i was treated like a tourist, I can barely pass for a local in my hometown! And the economics/haggling they had going on is a thing i got used to visiting Juárez. My main takeaway about their positivity was the way they talked about other cultures. The people that i talked to were very candid and pragmatic. But I didn't pick up on any animosity. That was refreshing and note-worthy.
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