Travel: Marrakech, Morocco Part 2 - Souks

This follows Part 1 - City

One of the big attractions of Marrakech for travellers are the souks, Marrakech having the largest traditional Berber market in the country. 

Here are 5 tips for a successful visit:

1. Bring patience, tolerance and a sense of humour. 

The souks can be intimidating and you WILL be hassled. 99% of locals will not do anything for nothing so either avoid eye contact or ensure you have plenty of small change.



2. Photos cost

Don't assume you have the right to take pictures of people without permission. How would you feel if a load of Moroccans came into your place of work and started snapping you without warning? It is against some Moroccans' culture to be immortalised in photos and will not want to be photographed. 

Of course, many will be happy to have pictures taken, especially if you are buying something. The majority will expect payment, typically 10 dirhams but we had people asking for up to 100 dirhams. Pay no more that 10 dirhams unless you are really happy to do so and be prepared for some of them to turn from being your best friend to your mortal enemy if they don't get what they want. 

3. Expect to get lost.

Getting lost in the Souks WILL happen and is all part of the fun. Being an ex-Geography teacher I pride myself on my navigation skills but even I struggled finding my way. People will be happy to help but some will see it as an opportunity to instantly become your 'guide' and will want some money. 

We were 'guided' to the Dyer's market even though we didn't really want to be. Then we were guided through the dyes and processes, even though we said we didn't want to be.     

After being shown the dyes and being dressed in a scarf, the guy got very upset when we said we were not going to buy anything. 

Just be prepared, but savour the experience and smile, smile smile! 




4. Visit the Ali Ben Youssef Medersa School

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the souks is a place of real calm one of the oldest Islamist colleges in Morocco, founded in the 14th Century. It is in great condition with amazing tiling and wall carvings throughout. 

5. Sample Marrakech at night

By day the main square is relatively quiet with a few stalls here and there but at night it comes alive with all sorts of activity from food stalls to snake charmers to henna tattooists. Again, expect to be hassled and asked for money for just watching the story tellers or snake charmers so it may be an idea to move around quickly! Laura was accosted by a henna tatooist and this woman was so insistent that she even started doing a design on her hand.

I'm grimacing because I know they will ask for 100 dirhams in a moment. They can ask all they like...

We ate in the square after being told that it is one of the safest places to eat. Apparently, food inspectors regularly check the area. We had no problems and enjoyed our dinner, even after I had been called Heston Blumenthal and Kojak by the wisecracking waiters. Cheeky gits. 

Heston or is that Kojak?

  

Next up Part 3... Adventure and the Atlas Mountains

http://stephendcook.blogspot.com/2013/02/travel-marrakech-morocco-part-3.html