Why you should shut up and go to Morocco

Many feelings pass my heart when I think about my 6 days in Morocco. From fear to happiness, from frustration to excitement.

Ana (my Spanish friend) and I arrived in Marrakesh on a warm Saturday evening, smiling and holding hands.

Eventually we discovered that these manifestations of love are not appropriate in front of a Moroccan public (but for some reasons, Moroccan men hold hands as sign of friendship).

2 white girls going out in Jamaa El Fna ? MADNESS.

I am talking about the main square, full of small stands selling any kind of food, souvenirs, lights and people. It was kind of hard to walk through thousands of people staring at you, making comments and trying to sell you any kind of s***t.

At that moment I got the idea that people were nice with us just in order to get something back. I still believe that, but I kind of understand reasons and distinguish types of people/backgrounds.

It was extremely hard to find just a place where to have dinner, as people would shout at you (in spanish, as all white people would come from Spain) to eat their best-in-town couscous or tajine! We also had to be careful about asking directions coz they would take you to the place and then require tips (complaining about the amount too!).

Let’s not talk about going through the souks (narrow streets full of merchants selling anything).

Their insistence on buying their products stopped me from wanting to watch; some would even get aggressive if you wouldn’t buy and I felt exhausted of negotiating 4 anything, from taxi to food.

Marrakesh got me frustrated and annoyed , but with not doubt it has his charm.

Putting aside the “mal de vivre” which hit me in the crowd, I can swear that the atmosphere in the center was amazing. It is one of the most alive cities I have ever seen, with its merchants, smell of spices and music in the background.

Marrakesh goes to sleep very late and wakes up very early.

We also got the chance to have a trip to the desert through the Atlas Mountains and it was just amazing. I got enchanted by all the small villages we saw on the way, with houses made by red sand and mud and their inhabitants busy with their everyday life.

Poverty is extremely visible outside the big cities, but the authenticity of this great country slaps you right in the face.

While driving through these villages, we came across something we did not expect to see: a funeral.

The parade was made exclusively by men dressed up in total white; 4 men in the front would carry the body in a sort of “bed” made by wood and the corpse covered only by a white blanket (i freaked out when the wind uncovered the feet).

Later we have been explained that only men can go to funerals and women go later to the grave and pray for the lost ones (not flowers are brought like 4 us).

We also rode the camels to the Berber camp while the sun was setting and the following day whit the sunrise. We slept in their tents with sand-made beds and played music and danced around the fire (with a group of wasted polish also :D) after dinner.

Casablanca was much more calm and less tourist with its gigantic Hassan II Mosque facing the beautiful ocean.

I found people here nicer and more welcoming (in Marrakesh a guy greeted us with a “Bitches” :D), willing to help and concerned about us having a great time.

A friend who I met in Poland original from Casablanca, took us around the city and gave us an awesome party!

It’s bullshit that in Morocco you can’t drink. You just have to do it discreetly and not in the street, just like smiling or touching someone.

Locals taught us many interesting things about Moroccan culture and religion. Example?

Men can have more 1 wife yes, but he has to be able to support them financially and sexually! If a wife is not satisfied with her husband’s performances in bed, well mate 1 wife is more than enough for you. Also if a man decides to marry the 2nd woman, he can do so only with the 1st wife’s consent! Awesome right?

I wish I had more time to discover this magic country with locals and less as a tourist.

Stop thinking that Morocco is a dangerous place full of thieves and rapists.

You just need an extra eye like in every foreign country but trust me, all the beauty hidden there is worth billion extra eyes!

Salam!