If only I knew then what I know now. ... - Thorn Tree travel forum

If only I knew then what I know now. Or, is Marrakech over-commercialised?

Replies: 49 - Last Post: 29-Aug-2008 04:59 Last Post By: Fran_Bervard

jump to

Posted
23-Jul-2008 00:57
by: kate88

Posts: 374
Registered: 11/06/03

15

I agree, it’s all about the way you carry yourself and how you deal with the situation. Much like the techniques used to stay out of trouble in a pub!!

I also agree Marrakesh has changed a lot over the past 10 years…. both good and bad. It has become more clinical but they did reduce the amount of aggressive touts, so depending on what perspective you look at it, it could have changed for the better in some respects. But stripping the palmeries of the best specimens to plonk in the courtyard of a Euro owned riad is not!

But hay ho…..we all move on.

Posted
23-Jul-2008 03:45
by: nusnus

Posts: 1,582
Registered: 01/09/06

16

To?

Posted
23-Jul-2008 04:02
by: sashac

Posts: 9,939
Registered: 17/08/07

17

Charles - Are you looking for the big ageless `in the end' answer or just wondering where you're going for lunch?? :)

New Years resolutions? If I'm not going to do it for 365 days, why the hell would I start on the 366th?

Posted
23-Jul-2008 04:36
by: nusnus

Posts: 1,582
Registered: 01/09/06

18

Yeah, Sasha, very funny. No, just wondering where Kate is going to now if Marrakech is uncool. I mean, it could be Cairo.

Posted
23-Jul-2008 04:44
by: sashac

Posts: 9,939
Registered: 17/08/07

19

Oh. Cairo and surrounding cities would be good or maybe other towns in Morocco.

New Years resolutions? If I'm not going to do it for 365 days, why the hell would I start on the 366th?

Posted
23-Jul-2008 04:53
by: nusnus

Posts: 1,582
Registered: 01/09/06

20

The southern the sheep fairs are still mini Marrakeches on a good day. Some were on the same trade routes to the south. Seek and ye shall find.

Posted
23-Jul-2008 20:54
by: zeldathewitch

Posts: 111
Registered: 10/12/05

21

I really love Marrakech, & as a petite Asian female I have to deal with cries of 'Japonaise!' or 'Chinoise'! pretty much everywhere I go in the Middle East or Africa. But as in most places, if you slow down (most tourists & travellers, including me, function on a speed a few notches above the locals), smile & exchange a few courtesies, you break that veneer of tout/hustler & a little more warmth is revealed.

That said, I agree that Marrakech is not the best place to go if you cannot deal with hustle, you need to develop a thick skin. If you go to shop, go shopping with a purpose, & do your research before you venture into the souks!

& as has already been said, confidence, or the appearance at least, makes a big difference.

Posted
23-Jul-2008 21:03
by: kate88

Posts: 374
Registered: 11/06/03

22

Nusnus - Never said Marrakesh was uncool, just making an observation on how things seem different. "Move on" was more of a turn of phrase than a statment regarding my travel plans - LOL. I'll always go back to Marrakesh, however much it's changed it's still a fun place to be.

Posted
24-Jul-2008 16:49
by: ceb39

Posts: 20
Registered: 01/11/02

23

Glad my post generated debate. I have talked to a few people and it appears tout hassles occur throughout the Mid East and India.

But I don't see any way that one can appear confident finding your way around those souks, tourists are like lambs to the slaughter the moment they pull out a map. Do any of you guys know your way around them?

But as I mentioned, I would go back. Indeed, the allure of Morocco is strong. Alas, its a long way from NZ.

Posted
24-Jul-2008 19:24
by: kate88

Posts: 374
Registered: 11/06/03

24

Remember, you only need to create the illusion of knowing what your doing!!

Posted
25-Jul-2008 01:48
by: sashac

Posts: 9,939
Registered: 17/08/07

25

Number 1 - don't carry a map. Take a page out of a guidebook, it's easier to hide what it is. If you need to look at it, go somewhere inconspicious or sit in a cafe and have some tea or something.

Walk purposefully, it's better to pass a street and have to go back then to sit there and stare at the sign until someone notices you.

Lastly - learn to say no thank you in the language of the place to which you are going. (We generally say it in Arabic in Morocco since it sounds more forceful then French).

New Years resolutions? If I'm not going to do it for 365 days, why the hell would I start on the 366th?

Posted
25-Jul-2008 02:58
by: nusnus

Posts: 1,582
Registered: 01/09/06

26

Everything Kate and Sasha say is absolutely true. People do notice what you are carrying, doesn't matter if it's a guide or a bottle of water.

I used to find little corners to look at my map or sit in a cafe and memorise the route! I don't now because I don't get hustled much. Remember, for every hustler there is someone who is just being helpful or friendly and I make it a rule to give everyone who approaches me a chance. I want to go away and hide when I see other tourists ignore people or try and brush them off. It just looks uncool and uptight.

Posted
25-Jul-2008 03:07
by: sashac

Posts: 9,939
Registered: 17/08/07

27

That's true - it's something we don't say on this forum enough - generally speaking, Moroccans do try to be helpful. They do sometimes steer you in the wrong direction because they really want to be helpful but aren't really sure of the right way. Sometimes you can tell when someone is trying to help out (they are usually less aggressive about it).

New Years resolutions? If I'm not going to do it for 365 days, why the hell would I start on the 366th?

Posted
25-Jul-2008 04:02
by: nusnus

Posts: 1,582
Registered: 01/09/06

28

And I've said this before, Moroccans like to make a good impression. All the kissing and hand holding and calling each other azizi are part of that. But they are also just sweet-natured. I've come across the most astonishing courtesy, too. But approaching people just for the sake of it is a very southern thing. Someone stops to chat in Casa or Rabat and it turns out they come from Skoura or Amizmiz.

Posted
25-Jul-2008 04:11
by: sashac

Posts: 9,939
Registered: 17/08/07

29

That is too true!! We've met a lot of Southern Moroccans that way (as well as a few more Northern, but not as many). North tends to be more businesslike about it.

It's the same in the U.S. actually, especially in large cities.

New Years resolutions? If I'm not going to do it for 365 days, why the hell would I start on the 366th?

Subscribe to the latest messages in this branch.

Your Recent Threads

Announcements

How would you improve Thorn...
Posted By: VenessaP -- 09-Dec-2009 17:01

Latest Community News

	Speaking in Tongues Messages: 67,118 Last message posted at: 18-Dec-2009 11:32
	On Your Bike Messages: 29,389 Last message posted at: 18-Dec-2009 14:17
	Travel Tech Messages: 28,185 Last message posted at: 18-Dec-2009 12:31
	Kids To Go Messages: 25,942 Last message posted at: 18-Dec-2009 09:45
	Like a Sore Thumb Messages: 22,546 Last message posted at: 17-Dec-2009 21:27
	Trekking & Mountaineering Messages: 22,075 Last message posted at: 18-Dec-2009 03:06
	Travel on a shoestring Messages: 21,001 Last message posted at: 17-Dec-2009 23:40

Destinations

Africa: Destination information

It can be argued that no other continent comes close to Africa in terms of scale, diversity or sheer impact on the senses. Africa is the place for adventurous travel, where stunning geography, ...more »

Map »

Shop Online