Sounds Of The Souks

Tag: People

An exploration of The Red City known as Marrakech.

  • Is Marrakech Safe For Solo Female Travellers?

    What every female should know before arriving in the red city.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    I would say that Marrakech is perfectly safe for women who travel alone..

    The overall crime rate is relatively low, and most female travellers have a wonderful experience.

    However, there are certain things to consider to help you feel confident and fit into Moroccan society.

    Women in Marrakech dress modestly.

    How you want to be treated will depend on how you present yourself.

    Although Marrakech is a Muslim city, it is quite liberal and used to tourists, but showing too much flesh would be considered inappropriate.

    Whilst you’re not expecting to adopt the hijab, you will certainly be regarded favourably if you dress slightly more conservatively.

    Long, silk, or cotton dresses are perfect and keep you cool at the same time.

    Palazzo trousers are comfortable and elegant.

    I wore turbans, and I loved that my hair was tucked away, keeping me from feeling too hot whilst feeling sophisticated.

    Many tourists wear the same style of clothing that they would back at home, so it’s really a matter of choice.

    I would certainly encourage dressing appropriately if you’re visiting religious sites, though.

    It’s a matter of respect.

    You’ll notice how happy a small gesture like this makes the locals happy.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    The people in Marrakesh are friendly and hospitable.

    There may be situations where you will be asked if you need help to find your riad or the main square.

    Simply decline the offer politely and go about your business.

    Stand your ground when negotiating a price for something. Show you are confident and don’t be afraid to walk away if you’re not happy.

    Some men may cat call or make comments, which may feel slightly intrusive.

    Ignore them and move away. If anyone follows you, find a shop vendor or restaurant to sit in or threaten to find a police officer.

    It’s rare that this happens, though, and police are everywhere around Marrakech, making sure that tourists are not hassled.

    Knowing a few words in Arabic or French is always useful.

    ‘Non merci’ or ‘La Shukran’ for ‘no thank you’ will automatically bring a smile to the locals’ faces.

    On the whole, I have never felt uncomfortable as a solo female traveller in Marrakech.

    There are plenty of us about wandering through the souks and enjoying the tourist hot-spots.

    Consider using a tour guide or joining a guided tour of the medina if you’re slightly anxious about exploring by yourself or if it’s your first time.

    There are night tours, street food tours, and registered guides for visiting the local attractions.

    Marrakech is a great place to visit as a solo female traveller if you treat it the same way as you would any other country wandering around by yourself.

    In some ways, I would consider it safer than some European countries.

    Most local people can’t wait to tell you all about their fascinating city.

    Educate yourself on the cultural norms and differences and respect the local customs and traditions, and you will be perfectly safe.

    You could carry a personal alarm with you if it helps you to feel less vulnerable.

    Overall, you will feel perfectly safe.

    Marrakech is very touristic, and there’s always crowds of people around.

    Just be extra vigilant in busy, congested areas with your belongings.

    The same way you would be anywhere else in the world.

    Relax and trust that the people of Marrakech are friendly, kind, and caring.

    You will have a truly wonderful time.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.
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  • Jamaa El Fna At Night.

    Sunset in the main square.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    The main square comes alive after dusk.

    If you think that the main square in Marrakech is a busy place during the daytime, be prepared for a surprise once the sun begins to set.

    Gone are the snake charmers and monkeys on chains,  replaced by food vendors, henna ladies, street musicians, and dancers.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    The scene is organised chaos and a complete sensory overload.

    The sights, sounds, and smells are not for the faint-hearted.

    The drumming becomes intense, and the square takes on the appearance of a huge fair ground with thousands of people congregating.

    People from Marrakech and beyond come together to meet each other, alongside tourists all vying for space to watch the spectacle unfold.

    The atmosphere is electric and vibrates with a magnetic energy.

    Street vendors pursue potential customers with menus as they try to navigate their way through the crowds.

    They hop in front of you, and you have to dodge them like you are part of some assault course.

    Images by Freebird Tracey

    Sometimes, they can be very persistent, and you can feel pretty intimidated.

    Camel head and fresh snails may not be your thing, and you have to be quite firm when telling them you’ve already eaten.

    Although the scene is very intense, it is magical and exciting.

    I really enjoyed myself, but other people were saying that they felt overwhelmed.

    They preferred sitting on the edge of the square, sipping mint tea, and observing from a safe distance.

    It is unlike anything else you may have experienced.

    There is so much to see. There are games being played, and a few little scams take place to trick you into coughing up a few dirhams.

    Locals hang around the cafe de France, chatting with each other over coffee.

    Youths play football against the walls of the medina.

    Sugarcane and fresh juice are sold from vending carts by lively vendors in high spirits.

    Bemused onlookers sit observing everything outside restaurants or from the rooftops around the square as the Koutoubia mosque rings out the call to prayer.

    As the sun sets, the crowds flock, and the atmosphere becomes electrifying.

    The square is transformed into a social hub where anything and everything takes place.

    It’s an incredible experience.

    The bright lights dazzle from the food vendors, and beautiful Morroccan lamps sit for sale on blankets lighting the way, giving off a wonderful glow.

    The scent of fragrant incense competes with the aroma of sheeps head cooking, floating through the air on the breeze.

    Tourists tempted to try a traditional bowl of snails queue to sample this culinary delight.

    Drums beat, belly dancers perform to curious onlookers and acrobats show off their skills to the gathering crowd.

    You can not escape the craziness.

    It draws you in.

    It is the heartbeat of the city.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Jamaa El Fna magnetises you.

    The sheer chaos is a complete assault on the senses in every way possible.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Just be mindful when stopping to take photos.

    Someone in the thick of the action is eagle eyed and continuously watching for interested tourists who have stopped to watch.

    They will spring upon you from out of nowhere, cap in hand for a donation.

    After sunset, it’s as though the whole of Morrocco has come out to play in Jamaa El Fna, and they are determined to have a good time.

    It is truly a spectacle to behold.

    Lively, colourful, aromatic, and noisy.

    Be sure to visit and become a part of what makes Marrakech so unique.

    It’s certainly an eye-opener.

    Although it’s mostly safe around the square, exercise the usual caution in large crowded areas and try to avoid obvious scams.

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  • Atay And Moroccan Pastries.

    Marrakech is known for its delicious sweets and pastries.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Colourful, boho decor and tempting pastries are the perfect way to take a much needed breather from the chaos of the souks.

    Shopping in the medina is a fascinating experience, but it can be overwhelming at times.

    I realised that taking a break and pacing myself was the best way to thoroughly enjoy the experience.

    Navigating the maze of alleyways in the souks is exciting, and there is so much more to them than beautiful leather goods and Moroccan lamps.

    I especially love the sweets and pastries on offer.

    They are absolutely delicious and compliment the taste of traditional mint tea known as atay perfectly.

    There are so many pastries to choose from, and I decided to treat myself to a selection to see which my favourites are.

    The tea is very hydrating, and I especially enjoyed the taste of the almond pastries most of all.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    If you are shopping for gifts  in the souks, I would highly recommend that you take some time out to rest and pace yourself.

    Sitting outside a cute little tea shop selling something nice and light like a few Moroccan pastries is perfect.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    It’s a good way to engage in the culture of Marrakech by observing everything going on around you.

    Watching vendors calling out to tourists and bargaining the price of their wares is fun.

    Friendly waiters buzz around serving their customers with a big smile.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    There are plenty of places in the medina offering mint tea, traditional sweets, and pastries.

    The sweets are an absolute treat, but you will be spoilt for choice.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    Part of the pleasure of exploring the medina is finding hidden gems.

    Places where you can sit and gather yourself before venturing back out into the crowds of tourists.

    Marrakech has an abundant supply of delicious sweets and pastries.

    They’re a light snack that won’t spoil your appetite for lunch or dinner.

    A few suggestions of places to try are,

    . Medina Kawa Marrakech.

    . La Patisserie de la Terracce Spices

    . Boughaz Coffee in the Kasbah.

    Check out my separate article about traditional Morroccan mint tea.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.
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  • The Marrakchi Cats.

    The life of a cat in Marrakech.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    One of the things you will notice when you’re in Marrakech is the number of stray cats everywhere.

    I was surprised to see so many, especially around the busy square, and in the souks.

    They seemed to be experts at dodging the many motorcycles and hiding inconspicuously under the juice stalls.

    There were cats sleeping on rugs and cushion covers in the souks, and lazing about without a care in the world.

    I witnessed strays giving birth to kittens inside alleyways and watched as cats prowled across rooftop perimeters at dawn.

    Five years ago, when I first visited Marrakech, I took pity on the cute little kittens hanging around outside my riad.

    They looked thin and hungry, I wanted to do something to help them..

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    I purchased a couple of tins of sardines and carefully wrapped the leftovers from my dinner into napkins.

    I found a couple of cats and strategically placed the food in a safe place for them.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    The next minute, there were  so many cats who appeared out of nowhere, also demanding to be fed.

    This made me feel very guilty because I’d only managed to afford them a few tiny morsels.

    It was a case of first come, first served..

    I went back to the UK feeling a little sorry for all the homeless cats who alerted passing tourists of their existence with a gentle mewing and extended paw.

    The next time I arrived at marrakech, I saw things from a different perspective.

    Cats are seen as ritually pure in the Islamic faith and highly regarded.

    According to the Prophet Muhammad, cats are allowed access to homes and mosques because they don’t create impurity.

    I stayed in three separate riads that each had a resident cat, who was very well cared for.

    I noticed restaurants leaving food outside their premises and butchers dropping scraps of meat on the floor for the local cat population to eat.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    Many of the cats were being looked after, and some were actually thriving on the titbits and bowls of food dotted around the medina.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    There was only one upsetting incident where a young man was sitting with a kitten on his lap, and it was holding a business card in its paws.

    On closer inspection, it isn’t something I ever want to see again, and I don’t feel the need to go into more detail here..

    I’m sure you can imagine what I saw.

    That is the only startling discovery I have made, thankfully.

    On the whole, the cats appear to be relatively content.

    They don’t exist in the way domesticated cats do in the west, but they’re not being ill treated any more than anywhere else in the world.

    I even saw a man get off his motorcycle in the busy souk and move a little kitten to the safety of an alleyway.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    If you’re coming to Marrakech, seeing all the stray cats may initially shock you.

    I was exactly the same, but after closer observation, I came to the conclusion that the situation wasn’t as dire as I first thought.

    There are plenty of little pools of water around the city for the cats to drink from, and some vendors leave water out for them.

    The crazy traffic and crowds of tourists seem to be the biggest problem, but the cats have learnt how to navigate their way around.

    I’m happy to say that I haven’t seen an injured cat lying at the side of any of the roads around Marrakech yet.

    There are tourists who are rescuing stray cats around Marrakech and taking them back to European countries.

    They are working with local vets to get injured cats treated and all the necessary vaccinations done before taking them out of the country.

    The cats in Marrakesh have learnt how to survive.

    They only know this life, and have adapted to it.

    On the whole, people are kind and compassionate towards them.

    Plus, in all the years of visiting Marrakech, I’ve never seen one single rat in the city.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.
    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
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