Marrakech Mayhem
Marrakesh, Morocco
Monkeys, snake charmers, henna painters, and fresh orange juice: it should be on the Welcome to Marrakech sign. Marrakech is overwhelming, chaotic, nerve-wracking, and fabulous.
Marrakesh Another recommendation for women is to wear clothing that does not draw attention to yourself: i.e. cover up, girl! Wearing long skirts and shirts that come to your elbows gets you more respect, less leering, and basically a better trip. The only place I felt comfortable wearing a tank top (without something over it to cover my shoulders) was in Casablanca, which is like the South Beach, Miami of Morocco. Men, too, should note that nowhere in Morocco did I see men wearing shorts. Mid-calf pants are fine for the dudes, as are t-shirts.
Even with all the hassles of being hot with lots of clothing, getting lost, constant panhandling, and children (and others) following me at night despite my elementary French “Ne suivez pas!”, Marrakesh is a truly incredible experience. The markets present some of the best shopping and haggling opportunities anywhere in the world. The medersa, museums and palaces offer sightseeing that doesn’t feel like the normal fare, which, frankly puts me to sleep. I even got to witness a bridal procession in the north medina, wherein the groom’s family presented the bridal family with gifts, music, and dancing in the street…it was all part of a typical day in Marrakesh shared by donkey carts, motorscooters, artisans, monkey wranglers, women lining up for the hammam, the loud and ever present call to prayer, and, now, me….and my husband.
