I'm off to Morocco in 2 weeks with a 15year old who has never experienced any backpacking or other cultures. Talked to him about Islamic culture etc and he thinks it's all nonsense, I won't be hassled and why should we be dressed properly? etc etc - typical 15year old talk, he'll get a shock when he gets there!
So the itinerary is as follows ...
Day 1: Arr Tangier (by boat) - immediately get the train to Meknes.
Day 2: Meknes, evening overnight bus to Rassani
Day 3: Arr Rassani/Merzouga overnight camel trek, camp in Berber tent
Day 4: Return to Merzouga by camel from trek and take afternoon bus to Midelt (preuming there is one)
Day 5: Midelt - Fes by bus
Day 6: Fes
Day 7: Fes
Day 8: Fes - Larache by train, visit friends
Day 9: Larache
Day 10: Evening boat home from Tangiers
I'm an experienced traveller, he's not and this will be a complete culture shock for him. He's fluent in French so that won't be a problem but am I pushing him too much?
I'm going to Meknes first as it's that much smaller than Fes and hopefully a good introduction for him to Moroccan culture. He thinks we should fly everywhere and doesn't want to be on a bus! (and money grows on trees!!!!!!!!!!)
Any advice gratefully received!
Kira
Dear Kira
You've done your best to explain things to him, but if he won't listen there isn't much else you can do so really you shouldn't worry about that aspect of it any more. My husband and I were in Morocco a couple of years ago and thought it was fabulous, especially Fes. Just wander around the tiny alleys and don't worry about getting lost--there are always lots of people happy to help you back to the main square when you want. If your son is fluent in French he may suddenly find himself much more important than he expects, as many locals are very keen to talk to independent tourists. Just don't hurry anywhere--an afternoon spent sitting at a sidewalk cafe watching people, and playing checkers/chess is really rewarding!
About the Islamic culture. As you're taking a boy not a girl it really won't be as much of an issue. There will be plenty of tourists, many of whom will be wearing shorts although none of the local men do. Shorts are for children only, not for grownups! A t-shirt would be far better than singlets, though. From the dressing-properly point of view there really isn't much that men can do wrong. You should wear a skirt and t-shirt or dress, though, rather than shorts. Your holiday will be much more enjoyable and the locals will approve of you more and talk to you, which is after all the point. So don't worry about your son causing offence; it shouldn't be a problem.
We took a 6 and a 10 year old from australia straight to Morocco at X-mas. I would enter and leave via Cebta to avoid hassles in Tangier. In Fes we were all spat on and had stones thrown at us. Until a guide was hired it was awful. Then it was ok. Everywhere else was fine for kids who was fascinated by it all and made very welcome in riad in Marrakech.
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