Hello All,
I am a 25 year old American female traveling currently in Marrakech. I have to say that i always feel safe here, however it has been difficult to get around at night without being hasseled. Be back at your hotel or riad at or before 11p. I can't stress that enough unless you don't mind having 4x the amount of approaches by men as normal. if they try and speak with you and follow you, just say "laa" which is "no" or laa shookran." i keep walking no matter what. it is not appropriate for a male to touch you either. hand shakes are okay, but no other type of physical contact. if a man touches you inappropriately just say "aib!" (ayeeb) which is "shame." if you stand and talk with a man for too long, people will begin to stare. be mindful of your surroundings and just use common sense. so NOT be out too late, otherwise more men will see your being out late as an invitation to talk to you.
i try to be polite at first, but if they aren't getting the hint i don't feel bad about walking away. if the man is persistent then walk into a crowd of women or a shop. Older men and women will usually look out for you or give you directions without asking for anything in return. Moroccan people are great as is Marrakech, but like any other city it has it's own underbelly. Just use common sense. Don't wear skimpy clothes, keep your legs and shoulders covered, always keep on you the number of your hotel or riad in case you need to call them to have someone pick you up (my riad had this). So Marrakech is a beautiful place and the good outweighed the bad so far. If you are apprehensive about where to stay, where and how to shop, where to eat, and suggestions or other comments about visiting Marrakech, either alone or with others, feel free to email me.
cly234@nyu.edu
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