Visiting Marrakech – What you should know before you go - Part 8

Things to be careful about

Dehydration can easily creep up on you hear. Bottled water is easily available so be sure to drink lots of it. If you don’t take in enough liquids, you are liable to end up feeling quite faint or possibly worse. This is especially true if you take any of the longer trips

Souk guides are something to avoid. There has been a strict clampdown ordered by the king himself. However, you may still have guides approaching you to offer their services. Always say no, any discount a guide may obtain for you at shops will be negated by his own commission, which the shopkeeper will factor into the price he charges you.

Alcohol is frowned upon by Islam as is getting drunk. Which really means that Moroccans drink discreetly and out of the gaze of the general public. Alcohol is forbidden within the medina, given the holy status conferred on it because of its seven shrines. However, hotels and restaurants with a predominantly foreign clientele are allowed some degree of flexibility.

This country is one of the major producers of cannabis, which is known locally as kif, so it is freely available. Just ignore all whispered offers of hash around Jemaa El Fna. The reason for this caution is that the secret police are present all around and buying or selling drugs, including hash, is illegal. A fine or, worst case, a prison sentence awaits anyone caught red-handed.

You often see Hitchhikers along the road between Marrakech and Ouarzazate. If you stop, your new passenger will often attempt to either sell whatever is in his bag or tell you about a “special” place that ends up being some friend or family member’s restaurant or shop.

In all but the very best of hotels, Moroccan plumbing can be temperamental. Local people use water rather than toilet paper. Therefore some pipes can get blocked very quickly. You will find that some older and cheaper hotels even recommend that you dispose of it in the bin provided instead of flushing away paper.

Marrakech has, since the 1970s, been popular with the gay community. The city has even been marketed as a gay destination with several riads advertising themselves as gay friendly. However, you need to remember that homosexuality is still forbidden in Morocco and carries a prison sentence. That being said it should be noted that foreigners are rarely troubled by the police, just be discreet.

Continued in part 9