So sorry for your bad experience nirmal_kaur.
Strangely enough, I had a far worse time in London on my way to Morocco. It was as if we were being ripped off at every turn. The hotel tried to charge more than we had agreed upon, it was far dingier than the lovely website photos. Had a bed bug bite. A taxi charged me 15 pounds for a trip down the street because it was early on a Sunday I suppose, and finally another taxi took off with my boyfriends passport before he could collect all his things.
And I once lived there!
It was a relief to arrive in Marrakech. Far less agressive. I think speaking French also helped. I didn't speak English for 5 weeks, and don't know how I would have managed on English alone.
40
allegory
41
nirmal_kaur
For those of you complaining that I haven't come back online...its been a particularly busy week at work!
Thank you to everyone who has been encouraging and supportive...
So you know, I've lived in 4 countries in my life, speak 5 languages competently (French isn't one of these but I do manage to make myself understood!), and have travelled extensively throughout Australia, Asia and Europe...
The riad where we were treated so shockingly was Mesjoudi or Mejoudi, near the Place de Palais.
Also, its through long experience that I have stopped making reservations prior to travel. As has been mentioned in this forum, you WILL manage to find accommodation; whether its within your budget is another issue altogether. The problem with booking beforehand is its all hit and miss. Online, everything looks fantastic with the airbrushed pictures and flowing descriptions! Its only when you are actually on location that you can accurately judge the accommodation. We booked our accommodation for our first night in Morocco. We only realised access to the riad was through a whole heap of dark alleyways when we actually got there! And we only realised how unsafe the location was when we got accosted that first night which was in Marrakech. Because our reservation was only for the 1 night we weren't out of pocket when we checked out of the riad the next day and checked into a different riad.
I think the accommodation debate just depends on the type of traveller you are: personally I like a flexible schedule which allows me to move around as and when I please.
As for the bit about taking advise from strangers at train stations, admittedly that wasn't particularly smart. My only defense was the gentleman who gave us that advise looked respectable, spoke well and was actually assisting passengers in the station. i.e. pointing out platforms, providing directions, etc. He did not appear to be touting or hassling. We could easily have told him to bugger off, but on our last 2 days we desperately wanted to believe that there were some decent people in Morocco who did not just look upon us as their own personal cash cows.
On a final note, however unfriendly people may believe London and Londoners to be, we would NEVER intentionally misdirect tourists or expect payment for giving directions!
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anonymous
nirmal_kaur, thank you very much for your post, which to a extent mirrors my unpleasant experiences in Morocco, albeit more than 10 years ago. I had hoped things had improved.
As you have read, negative posts on Morocco (and their persistent, aggressive, annoying touts) tend to be met with reflexive, defensive comments. I have since been to nearly 20 other African countries, and haven't experienced anything nearly as unpleasant as my encounters in various Moroccon medinahs. Tunisia, for example, is much more pleasant, and a visitor can actually enjoy shopping in the Tunis and Sousse medinahs.
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nusnus
I'm still interested in the anti-India slogans and what they were because people have assumed it was racism.
I don't think anyone believes Morocco is always easy for a first-timer but you just learn to handle it. Moroccans can be very upfront. They don't save it for Morocco and unsuspecting tourists.I was abused on Golborne Rd in London. I was shocked because I like the N African places there. Just stormed out of some shop and started going on about paedophiles. It's the kind of wild denunciation they go in for.
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chanol
I've never heard of that riad (unless you mean Dar Masmoudi) or the "place de palais", but whatever....your experience just proves Morocco isn't for everyone!
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deram
Well we will be hassled if we wear our gold rings, fine clothing gucci purses despite whether imitation or otherwise - its insulting to wade in looking like a rich tourist haggling in a condescending way as if the moroccans were beneathus.
we all come from the same and wiull go to the same whatever our beliefs, and if we cant have compassion and treat others with the same dignity that we would expect then, why bother going there in the first place. If we can show off our £2oo diamond ring, its condescending to try and knock a 100 Dh artical by 25% - saving of £3. I suggest dress modestly, act politely and respecting your hosts youll get a far better response.
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cocodrilo
Deram-
I don't think anyone in their right mind is going to be wearing diamond rings or toting Gucci purses in Morocco. :-)
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