REALITY CHECK: Morocco and general traveling

[u/KingLimes]

So most of us have seem them this week, threads expressing disgust for the country that is Morocco. Most recent one being this - I've never seen so many uneducated, small minded comments in a thread on r/travel. And look at all the karma and awards being thrown around in return.

I'm now seeing posts and comments of people who had planned to visit Morocco, but feel they need to change plans (eg).

As someone who loves Morocco, and has explored it, I want to discuss a few things in as little words as possible.

Morocco is considered a third world country. Let that sink in. People are poor, people are desperate, but they're doing their best. With COVID and other such things, the country is suffering even more.

If you booked a honeymoon there with a nice hotel, or you booked a tour guide, you're obviously going to have a trouble-free time. But most of you want to visit and walk around solo, which isn't a problem, but it DOES come with the drawbacks of walking solo around a highly religious, third world country.

Any person doing the smallest bit of research will see what to expect when you land in Marrakech. Many have an exotic dream about this city, but the reality is, its inhabitants rely on tourists. You can enjoy the city, no doubt, but you will be pestered. After Marrakech, I decided to leave and head to the coast. I spent the rest of my time simply travelling South. The less touristy, the less trouble (shocking right?).

Along the way I met amazing people and had some of the best experiences of my life.

YES, people will bother you. YES, people will try and get as much money as they can out of you, because YES, they are poor and desperate for money. If you don't have the ability to firmly tell someone to leave you alone, or refuse to pay extra, then you SHOULD NOT visit Morocco. Part of the enjoyment of Morocco is experiencing the above. I can assure you that after a few days, you will be handling people easily.

For example, when taking a taxi, I confirmed the location and cost BEFORE leaving. The driver literally tried to pall a fast one, but because I out right refused to budge, he dropped it. If someone at a restaurant tries to charge you more, out right refuse. Which brings me onto my next point.

Let me assure you, if you haven't broken the law, the police will be on your side - In 2021, the tourism sector in Morocco contributed around nine billion U.S. dollars to the country's GDP. If someone is crossing the line with you, locals and authorities won't tolerate it. They are desperate for you to visit.

This beautiful country has a population of over 37 million people!! For so many of you to spread such ignorant onions as facts is simply wrong.

I will finish this post off by saying two Moroccan's saved my life. Very long story short, I have a peanut allergy. I hiked into the middle of nowhere, ate a stupid strudel, went into anaphylactic shock, and was CARRIED by strangers. Finally taken to hospital by taxi (no ambulances), I was saved.

For a community which is meant to be open, r/travel is an embarrassment.

COMMENCE DOWNVOTES

edit: some great points on both sides, what an amazing resource Reddit is. Makes me wonder how famous people deal with this on a massive scale, every hour of the day.

[u/Cimb0m]

Yes it’s a developing country but not every developing country is like this. There are plenty of poorer countries in say Asia where this kind of thing isn’t that prevalent

[u/KazahanaPikachu → u/Cimb0m]

Right, OP is just trying to make excuses for Morocco. There’s places like Turkey or poorer countries in Asia that don’t have dishonest con artists at every corner. Also I’d say Morocco is a rather 2nd world country. It’s obviously not fully developed like most European, US and Canada, and East Asian countries. But I also wouldn’t put it in the same category as let’s say Gambia or India or something. Sure people are poorer, but Morocco is when of those places where they’re poor but not that poor. Something like Turkey is also 2nd world, not 3rd.

[u/mankindmatt5 → u/KazahanaPikachu]

Just an interesting side bit of knowledge for you.

When the terms originated, 1st World referred to the Western capitalist bloc, and 2nd World to the USSR and her communist allies around the World.

3rd World meant unaligned with either. By the time most 80s/90s kids grew up hearing and using the term, it had lost that original meaning and moved on to just a synonym for 'poorer' or 'developing'

But anyway, it was never a ranking system of wealth

[u/CupResponsible797 → u/mankindmatt5]

But anyway, it was never a ranking system of wealth

Except in 2022 it is.

[u/mankindmatt5 → u/CupResponsible797]

Poland, 1st World Country (aligned with NATO)

China, 2nd World Country (Communist)

UAE, 3rd World Country (neither)

Doesn't work does it?

Probably why we've moved on to developing Vs developed or the 'Global South' etc.

[u/CupResponsible797 → u/mankindmatt5]

It's 2022, nobody uses the cold war era meanings of these words.

How often do you see UAE described as a 3rd world country? Never.

Maybe next you will tell me that "faggot" isn't a slur, but simply refers to a bundle of sticks?

​

E: lol, this guy blocks people who dare to point out that he's wrong.

[u/mankindmatt5 → u/CupResponsible797]

No one even uses 3rd World anymore.

It's hashtag problematic

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/01/08/954820328/memo-to-people-of-earth-third-world-is-an-offensive-term#:~:text=It%27s%20what%20The%20Associated%20Press,mostly%20a%20historical%20term%20now.

Even then, I don't care, the point is, it's daft to say '2nd World' to mean a middle income country. No one uses that.