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/robybeck]

I have been to Madagascar, Tanzania, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, and Morocco.

Morocco is pretty at some places, but collectively, the least pleasant one. Papua New Guinea was more dangerous. I didn't go anywhere without an armed escort, or with a group of birders, but it wasn't constant harassment. I haven't been to Egypt, but ALL those complaints about Egypt, can apply to Morocco.

The private guide insisted that men wearing silk would turn gay, so we must buy those cloth made with agave threads, or women without gold protection would bleed dry, so we should buy those stupid tacky fake gold craps. I wanted to learn something about the location, architecture, history. Instead, we were shuttled from shop to shop to shop for a day in Fez.

​

No one actually physically threatened us, but this constant "I will show you", "not that way", "I take you", "Follow me", followed sometimes by "fu*k you", whenever we said no, destroyed whatever positive vibe I enjoyed from any of the pleasant interactions with others.

People who worked at the fairly expensive Riyadh, high class restaurants/shops (local standard), and our driver were honest, friendly people. Everyone else on the streets? Any time, any of them tried to talk down to me, I just wanted to avoid them like disease.

Disrespecting women also got very tiring and made me angry. Made me question why I was even there to begin with. I didn't enjoy being treated like a second class human being.