Marrakesh Tourist Trap Tips by leigh767

The saying that "the wider the smile, the sharper the knife" is to an extent true.

On my way to the Merdesa, a young local claiming to study Economics at university offered to lead me but instead guided me to the tannery. Though interesting as well, the tannery was a trap really as after he passed me on to another man who explained the process of leather making (see my Off the Beaten Track tips), I was whisked off to a nearby shop where the real business began. Luckily, I got out of what could've been a a long and arduous bargaining session by saying that I was only a student and have less than 100 Dir with me (always does the trick!).

An eye opening experience and the only thing I lost was 5 Dir to the two "guides".

MORAL of the story: Don't carry on a conversation with a local with he's being overly friendly. True, non-money mongering locals often point you in the right direction, but wouldn't walk you there. A good way of getting the right directions is asking shopkeepers.

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