Morocco Tourist Trap Tips by angiebabe Top 5 Page for this destination

Too much.....so much......

....sleeping around of tourists with the locals - especially out in the desert area and auberges of the Merzouga sahara area.

Theres a mixture of women particularly who go there because they know the young local guys who work out in the desert area are always on the look out for 'opportunities' and younger or older women who are naiive enough to believe their stories that they are special and that they are or will be the only one.

The ones who are just travelling through and dont mind one night stands are bad enough because they dont think about the ongoing effects of these young guys forming attitudes and ideas that this is normal western behaviour - their own women have to stay chaste until marriage and once married, particularly in this area, are bound within society to conform to expectations of their roles to stay at home with the family until their husband comes home - nor do they think about the fact that these men may have wives and children at home.

Yet these guys are off out enjoying the freedom of being out away from the eyes of the townsfolk - doing whatever they can with the independence that women or men travellers have.

The naiive women travellers will be preyed upon for potential ongoing relationships - because these are rather lucrative - talking them into taking them with them on their travels around Morocco for a further free supply of what they might pay for in town - free holidays away from town - and of which their egos are kept pumped up especially when meeting fellow friends on their travels with their foreigners - and even better being able to ply them with the poor desert/poor Rissani story and getting whatver they need supplied - such as some money to take home to their family to show theyve been away working, clothes, cameras, phones, even cars and auberges - whatever the relationship will behold. Many actually end up with marriages and visas out the country and eventually passports to freedom. Many of these guys Ive known to be engaged with fiances from other countries while being seen out travelling around Morocco with their other girlfriends or short term 'travelling companions'.

The Lonely Planet talks about the juggling that goes on - I couldnt believe it really but Ive seen it with my own eyes and on a very grande scale - it defiinitely goes on - and I mean Ive seen many guys who are friends of my friends and acquaintances who I know have longterm girlfriends or fiances or even since got married and waiting for their visas - but have say 3 of them and then when I stay at their auberges they have had a night stand with a different person each night and then a girlfriend arrives to stay for a week or so....

But its not only women tourists - its also men who go looking for young guys who will do anything for money that is offered.

And once you get into the click of these people you get to hear what are their drives in life - they are sweet and charming and enjoy good companionship and meeting people and learning languages and being involved, are entertaining and vibrant but with that comes an attitude that sex is just as food and money is - from whoever it is obtained from does not matter as long as it is obtained and the more the better. and with that the meaning of honesty has a whole totally different concept.

Unique Suggestions: Be aware you are not the only one. A spanish guy up in Chefchouen said it so well - Moroccan guys are so different to European men - dont ever expect them to be faithful if you are not right there beside them all the time because they think that because they are men they are entitled to be with any woman they want.

Fun Alternatives: Go and enjoy the beauty that is there so profoundly and so abundant around Morocco - but respect the locals - think of the local women - listen to your instincts - if you want a relationship with integrity then think twice about one here - as you will very rarely ever be the only one.

Carpet shops - visit our 'exposition'!!

So many carpets are made in Morocco - they are mass produced in places such as Tazenakht and distributed to carpet shops all over the country - many are made though by women with their own hands and in cooperatives and can be very beautiful, colourful, cultural stimulating and rewarding, and a good quality product to have at home to add to your taste or warm your feet!

It would seem that 3/4 of the population are looking for ways to make some money any way they know how - and involving tourists or visitors to Morocco - so guess what if youre doing a tour or gaining any friendship with hotel staff - you will be taken to an 'exposition'! - you might think this sounds an interesting introduction to local arts and crafts or tribal peculiarities of the area - but though a first-time intro visit is worth doing to learn the symbols and traditons of carpets amongst the various tribes and living environments - it really just means a carpet shop - and mercilessly they will try their cheaper commercial carpets on the non-knowing first - at as big a price as possible.

Unique Suggestions: Do sit in and experience the rigmarole even just once and in most cases learn a thing or two about carpets - just Dont be too kind or naiive - they are mercilessly after your money at any cost - imagine that carpet that they tell is worth 5000 dirham - its probably only worth 500 dirham or if worth more than that its been bought from a hard working woman for a meagre 700 dirham!!