Some unpleasant incidents from our Morocco tour

Back from a two week tour around Morocco. Some amazing history and beautiful architecture all around (loved the Zellige patterns). But most of the people we interacted with including kids and older people, just wanted to extract money from us. Happened way too frequently and in every place we visited (more so in Marrakech and Fez)

  1. An old man wanted us to see where authentic Argan oil was made. When we told him La Shukran, he got angry, said some words and went away

  2. A person asked us to visit his carpet shop in Chefchaouen. I told him I don't want to buy. He kept on insisting and said just come and see the stuff. No pressure of buying. When we reached the store we realized it was owned by someone else. The owner packed a carpet and a djelleba and told us that we should help the local people. I told him sorry but I don't want to buy. He got very pissed. We came out of the store. The person who took us there said give me something for coffee. Gave him 10 dirhams and told him that's just not the way.

  3. Lost our way while coming back from Jemma al fna. We stopped to reset our Google map. A bunch of 9-10 year olds approached us and said we will help you. I told them La Shukran. One of them got angry and said why don't you want our help. I told him bcoz I know my way and I will figure it out by myself. We started walking. They kept on walking side by side. The Google maps kept on behaving weird (as it does so many times inside the medina). The kids kept on walking side by side and kept on saying we will take you to your riad. Had no choice but to turn back to Jemma al fna (which was 5 minutes away) and enter one of the cafes there.

  4. A lady caught my wife's hand and started applying henna. Had told her no thrice but she was about to draw. Had to shout at her.

There were a lot many incidents which spoiled our experience. Morocco has so much to offer but if this behavior doesn't change, it's going to hit tourism in the long run



Submitted January 04, 2024 at 12:16AM by aispaistwo https://ift.tt/VjRG5Ce

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