Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In

Marrakesh Warning or Danger Tips by suvanki

Search:
email to friend | help
Home » Africa » Morocco » Wilaya de Marrakech » Marrakesh » suvanki's Marrakesh Page » Marrakesh Warnings and Dangers Tips by suvanki

Marrakesh Pages by suvanki


Marrakesh Warning or Danger Tips by suvanki
See the Entire Marrakesh Travel Guide
Click Picture to enlarge.
 email me
 add as friend


suvanki    
Like a river that don't know where it's flowing I took a wrong turn and I just kept going - Bruce Springsteen


Real Name: Sue
Lives In: Sheffield, UK
Member Since: Feb 19, 2004
VT Rank: 121

Sponsored Links for Marrakesh

Marrakesh Hotels
Luxury, typical & trendy hotels in Marrakesh. Direct online booking!

Riads in Marrakech
Spend unforgettable nights in a cosy & luxurious Moroccan palace.

Marrakesh Hotel
120 Hotels & Riads in Marrakesh. Instant confirmation online!

Discover Morocco
Experience Ancient Kasbahs, Camel Treks, Hiking & Biking Adventures

Marrakech 5-Star Hotel
Refined luxury hospitality with the charm of French style.



 
Tips 1 - 5 of 5
Marrakesh Warnings Or Dangers
 Sort by: Most Recent | Best Rated | Author's Order

Warnings Or Dangers: Getting Lost in the Souks!
  • Tip Rating:
  • Marrakesh - Kiosk in the Mellah, Marrakesh
  • Kiosk in the Mellah, Marrakesh
  • by suvanki
  • Send Photo to a Friend
  • My first night in Marrakesh, I'd found my way into Djemma el Fnaa. Aware of warnings that it's easy to get lost, I carefully noted where I was...

    After a pleasant evening, I left the square to get a taxi back to my hotel.
    Setting off in the direction I thought I'd come from, it wasn't long before I realised I wasn't where I thought I was. I thought if I continued I'd come to a main road or landmark.

    It was around midnight, and I was wandering further into the Mellah area (which I realised later when I checked my guide book)

    The narrow alleyways were lined with 'hole in the wall' grill houses, workshops etc. Donkey carts passing by forced me to walk close to the walls. In front of me a group of youths suddenly started a fight, as soon as it started, it ended, with 2 boys ending up covered in blood!

    I was starting to feel a bit uneasy now, if I turned back, I wasn't entirely sure of my route..luckily a taxi appeared at the road in front, and I got in.

    Next to the driver was a woman, who I thought was his wife, but after a drive around the narrow alleyways, we reached a small square where she got out.

    My taxi driver had to stop twice to ask directions to my hotel. As you can imagine, I was quite relieved to arrive back at my hotel. The taxi driver got a good tip!

    Despite this experience, it didn't deter me from wandering about, or spoil my holiday. Just another of my travel adventures!


    Leave a Comment

    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    Warnings Or Dangers: Henna 'artists'
  • Tip Rating:
  • Of all the 'sales people/entertainers' I encountered in Djemma el Fnaa, I found the women who did henna work to be the most persistent!

    On my travels, I've had various henna 'tattoos', and I might have had one done in Marrakesh, but I'd read other VTers pages, who'd recorded problems with prices etc.

    I was wandering through the square, minding my own business, when I was accosted by one of these henna artists, who forcibly grabbed me by the arm, and thrust a catalogue of designs in my face.

    I tried to tell her I wasn't interested, but she persisted in gripping me harder, then attempting to draw a squiggle on my hand. I managed to brush her aside, and luckily I had a tissue in my pocket to remove the henna paste.

    However, I was left with an orange mark on my hand for a couple of days!

    My advise is to walk away, with a firm No! Non! or La! -

    There will be another potential 'mug' along soon


    Leave a Comment

    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    Warnings Or Dangers: Snake charmers!
  • Tip Rating:
  • Marrakesh - Snake charmer, Djemma el Fnaa
  • Snake charmer, Djemma el Fnaa
  • by suvanki
  • Send Photo to a Friend
  • For many years I had a snake phobia, cured partly by a Blue Peter animal expert, who regularly was on the programme, then did lecture tours, which I was sent to, to represent our school at a talk, where I was 'invited' to touch the snake.

    After this experience, my fear subsided. In India, I also braved a snake charmers show, to get near to a cobra.

    However, this chap in the photograph, descended on me, and proceeded to chat, I hadn't realised he was a snake charmer, until he tried to get me to close my eyes, and hold my hand out!!!!!!!! Luckily I made him show me what was in his hand! I was brave enough to touch it , but refused to hold the snake in my hand, or around my neck.

    I paid a few dh for this pic, but not as much as he asked initially. He asked 200dh! I gave him 5dh, as this was all the change I had in my pocket - ( I prefer to wear combat style trousers in Marrakech, with small denomination coins in each pocket, So that I can safely pull out the 'only change I have' )

    I give more money to the musicians and singers in the square etc.

    Surprised I could hold the camera still enough for a pic!!


    Leave a Comment

    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    Warnings Or Dangers: Taking Photographs.
  • Tip Rating:
  • Marrakesh - Gnaoua musicians 'from a distance'!!
  • Gnaoua musicians 'from a
  • distance'!!
  • by suvanki
  • Send Photo to a Friend
  • Marrakesh is a photographers paradise! However, it's not always easy to take the shots that you want-
    It's quite a busy place , so you might need to be very patient, to get an uninterrupted view, particularly at the popular sights


    Although the locals are used to camera wielding tourists, they're understandably often not happy to be snapped, going about their daily lives, particularly the women. Although as a lone female traveller. I've often been asked to take pics of the local women!

    I did find a few occasions, when I was taking a street scene in the medina or mellah, where I thought I'd taken care, not to get anyone in the shot, then realised that I'd inadvertantly upset a 'hidden' bystander' Also taking shots where a stall keeper was 'hidden' in the darkness or shadow, behind the stalls display.

    An apology, and gesturing at the view I was taking, was usually accepted. I didn't have digital, only old fashioned film, so couldn't show them the pic as proof.

    Djemma el Fnaa, is a place to be aware of who/what you're photographing- musicians, such as those in the photo, the watersellers, snake charmers etc are very quick to demand money, if they see (or think they see) you taking a photo. (The brighter their costume, the more likely they are to demand money!!! )

    Tip - carry loose change in a seperate pocket, if you feel the need to tip these.(They'll ask for some exorbitant amount such as 200dh- I usually had 5 - 10 dh ready, if they protested, I explained it was all I had (with an apologetic shrug and smile!)

    At night, the musicians and storytellers who are surrounded by their audience, standing or sitting in a circle etc are also on the look out for anyone taking photo's, and usually expect a donation.
    These aren't here as a tourist attraction - they are continuing an age old tradition of story telling, which only the locals (who outnumber the gathered tourists) will understand.

    I personally don't mind tipping these musicians etc, especially if they're as talented as most in Djemma El Fnaa- these performances have been some of the hi lights of my holiday! I spent most nights being invited to sit with one group, while they played.

    I've also recorded some of them on MP3, so I've got some long lasting memories of their music and the atmosphere of Djemma el Fnaa


    Leave a Comment

    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    Warnings Or Dangers: Guided Tours
  • Tip Rating:
  • Marrakesh - Bahia Palace revisited!
  • Bahia Palace revisited!
  • by suvanki
  • Send Photo to a Friend
  • If You're booking a guided tour, check that the itinary is the same as printed in the flyer/poster.

    During my week in Marrakesh, I'd seen most of the 'Must Sees' but I'd not visited Ben Yussef Medersa. I'd travelled with Panorama holidays, and they offered a half day 'Historical Marrakesh tour' which included Ben Youssef, Marrakesh Museum and the Kubba El Baroudine, ending with a mint tea in a cafe overlooking Djemma el Fnaa. I therefore booked this trip for 220 dh.


    Our group consisted of myself and an english couple. Our first stop off was the Koutoubia mosque ( been there already, but learnt a bit more!) we then arrived at a familiar place- The Bahia Palace (Been there, enjoyed it, learnt a bit more!) We then arrived at a carpet shop!!!!! (been there, no intention of buying a carpet!!) I was getting a bit suspicious now- not much time for Ben Youssef, and these other places weren't mentioned in the advertised tour.

    I had my mint tea, while the carpets were unfurled. The couple on our tour seemed to be interested in buying a carpet, and were going along with the sellers 'sales patter' so I decided this was the time to exit stage left!!

    The guide apologised and said this was the usual tour that they did.

    I did get a refund of 150 dh from my rep. and I did get to see Ben Youssef 2 days later.

    Luckily, I was there for 5 days, and could 'catch up with my sightseeing' later, but If I was only there for a couple of days, I wouldn't have been so pleased


    Leave a Comment

    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful 

    More Marrakesh Tips

    OverviewThings to Do
    Tips: 46 - Photos: 137
    Restaurants
    Tips: 18 - Photos: 22
    Hotels & Accommodations
    Tips: 6 - Photos: 20
    Nightlife
    Tips: 4 - Photos: 8
    Off The Beaten Path
    Tips: 3 - Photos: 7
    Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
    Tips: 5 - Photos: 5
    Transportation
    Tips: 5 - Photos: 18
    Local Customs
    Tips: 3 - Photos: 7
    Packing Lists
    Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
    Shopping
    Tips: 11 - Photos: 15
    Sports TravelGeneral Tips

    Marrakesh Forum

    Join a Discussion

    Hostels in Marrakesh/Fes/Casablanca?
    (1 replies, Tuesday, Jul 22, 2008, 6:23 PM UTC)

    Tree climbing goats
    (6 replies, Monday, Jul 21, 2008, 7:54 PM UTC)

    Transportation from Marrakech to Ouarzazate
    (6 replies, Thursday, Jul 24, 2008, 12:04 PM UTC)

    Be the first to reply to these questions

    Feedback on Riad Bibtia Italia in Marrakech
    (no replies yet, Wednesday, Jul 23, 2008, 3:20 AM UTC)

    Oasiria
    (no replies yet, Tuesday, Jul 1, 2008, 6:26 PM UTC)

    Week markets
    (no replies yet, Saturday, Nov 24, 2007, 8:07 PM UTC)

    » All Marrakesh Posts
    » Ask about Marrakesh

    FREE VT Deals Newsletter
    great deals, inside tips & no spam
      

    Comments for suvanki about Marrakesh
    stewarth99 Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:02 UTC
     I too have been asked to contribute - by the 'belly dancers' - I thought I'd pulled, until he asked for some money! still they were better dancers then some I've seen.
    mvtouring Mon Apr 14, 2008 05:47 UTC
     Excellent tips ;-)
    nowingingit Sun Dec 16, 2007 23:41 UTC
     This is a great page! very informative. Thanks for sharing. will be there soon - can't wait.
    Craigellachie Fri Dec 7, 2007 15:44 UTC
     Thanks for this - I'm just booked to go to Marrakesh in January, solo - and then I came across your page sounds like I'm in for a great time!
    See More Comments

    More Sponsored Links for Marrakesh

    Luxury Riad in Marrakech
    In the heart of the Medina Suites, Hammam, Pool, Terrace

    Hotel in Marrakech
    Hotel Sofitel, Coralia Club & Ibis. 4 hotels with restaurant and pool.

    20 Hotels in Marrakech
    Book a hotel in Marrakech online. All hotels with special offers.

    Find:       Matching:  Advanced