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[quote=Anonymous]Marrakech is great! Don’t be too worried about clothing. Dress a little more conservatively, although you’ll see a lot of tourists wearing skimpier clothing. I would wear closed toe shoes or perhaps sandals with a semi-closed toe. It’s a dusty city on the edge of a desert, and there is a fair amount of debris and waste in the Medina to side step. It won’t be as clean as cities you are likely used to. A lightweight scarf would be helpful for covering shoulders or mouth from dust as needed.

You’ll find ATMs everywhere, but I would withdraw currency at the airport, lock the excess in your hotel safe, and pay any small penalty to convert it back to USD at the airport when you depart. You’ll need small bills for almost everything, and may only wind up using your credit card for your hotel and some fancier dinners out. In general we try to avoid using ATMs and Africa or the Middle East anywhere but the airport, and try to use cash vs credit cards.

Food is very affordable, and you can get some terrific restaurant meals at very good prices compared to the United States. Couscous is everywhere, piled with vegetables or meat, and there of course is a lot of French influence so you’ll find a good deal of French food as well. As with foreign travel to countries in Africa or the Middle East, try to consume mostly cooked foods. Fresh fruits without an external peel, fresh salads, and the delicious looking freshly squeezed juices you’ll see sold on carts all around the city should be avoided (ask me how I know). Only drink bottled water or bottled soda. Our riad had bottled water in the bathroom with a sign saying it should be used for teeth brushing too so the whole don’t drink the water thing applies.

Bring travel size toilet paper or tissues with you for using restrooms other than your hotel. Make an arrangement for a hotel transfer. The Medina is an absolute maze of tiny alleyways and many riads are located far from the main roads where taxis can go (picture a 1/4 mile with 20 left and right turns you would never be able to navigate on your own with a load of luggage and jet lag). Learn a few phrases in Arabic and in French. It will go along way if you can say no thank you or where is the bathroom in either. Vendors can be quite aggressive. You may have to say no several times or even raise your voice to get a message across. There are a lot of beggars in the city, and lots of stray animals so be prepared for that also. Arrange tours and taxis with your riad’s front desk. It’s the best way to make sure you hire a legitimate service and aren’t taken advantage of.[/quote]

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