I am an American who has always been intrigued by Morocco. Finally my dream has come true and I will be visiting your country with my husband in a few months.
I hope that my message is not inappropriate to this board. I am a writer by profession and wish to be able to share what we experience in Morocco with other Americans. But that means, of course, that we really "experience" Morocco rather than have a "good vacation."
I want to understand your culture, what makes people tick. I have been reading about Islam, and now have some insight into your beautiful religion. I have also been studying Arabic (but failed miserably) and hope that our bad Spanish and French can help us communicate with Moroccans.
Have any of you any advice about where we should go beyond the touristy stuff? Is the anti-American sentiment strong because of this awful war?
I pray that this trip will be the first step that will allow me to form a bridge between our two cultures, even if it is just educating the children at my children's school about your culture.
If this is not an appropriate topic for this message board, my apologies. If anyone has time and inclination, they could respond to me directly at [email protected].
You know ? with all my respect, You made my day, because now, with your presence, you gave a new spicy taste to this forum. an american here would only give more strenght to the discussion, and not only an american but a professional writer !
welcome again, and feel free to write !
cheers
A moroccan by nature.
"Hé ! bonjour, Monsieur du Corbeau.
Que vous êtes joli ! que vous me semblez beau !
Sans mentir, si votre ramage
Se rapporte à votre plumage,
Vous êtes le Phénix des hôtes de ces bois."
Dear Barbara First of all many thanks for your interests for visiting Morocco and for understanding moroccan culture. However, answering your questions is not easy knowing that Morocco is a country of contrasts. Depending on where you are and on the people you will meet. Moroccans make a big difference in their relation with individuals and with istitutions and governments. In my knowledge, I do not know of any american who did suffer of any anti-american sentiment while visiting Morocco. They discover friendly and helpfull moroccans. I would recommand Marrakech as a must visit. The city offera variety of things from traditional Morocco to modern sides. A very quite city and soft peolpe, is the city of Essaouira The city of Fez show another aspect of Moroccan history....
Please feel free to ask about any thing related to Morocco, I am sûre that most of my compatriotes are open minded and will try to help if they can. yours Krim
I don't need to tell you anymore, I think, about the hospitality you’ll see in Morocco, nor about the beauty of the country itself, as I think you’ve heard and read about both. But I wanted to add that people in morocco are amongst the most open-minded people in the world and have nothing but respect towards Americans. Now, if you ask me what they thing of the policies of the US government in the Arab world, that’s another story, you will see people happy to see you, you will be invited by strangers to come and share their meals with their children and families, it’s just the Moroccan way and everyone feels it’s their duty to show hospitality, but everyone will tell you they are against the war on Iraq, which many see as an attack on Islam itself, and that should not come as a surprise to you. you also will be amongst people who looove to debate issues, and as a writer, I don't think you mind that, I don't think you'll want to be anywhere else.
My hope is that there will be many more people like you, who will take that same journey, experience knowing and living in an Arab culture and then come back and write about it. The media had painted a gloomy picture about the Arab world in the American psyche, and only American writers can correct and re-write that. By addressing this forum the way you did, you already made Moroccan friends, and we will all be happy to answer any question you may have. As for where to go, give us a bit more on what you like to do, and I’m sure we can provide names of places that would fit well into your plan. Marhaba Beek,
Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 06/07/2005 01:18 by almotanabi.
You are welcome to ask any question & debate anything you want in this forum ,this world need people like you who whould take the time & make the effort to go & check for them selves others cultures & meet other people,rather than leaving it to the media to peinte the picture they want of the others !
As its was already mentioned , Morroccans are open minded & embrasse others cultures but also a nation that loves to entertain ,feast & debate Morocco is a Land of contrasts too we are a moving nation we have our roots in africa & we branching out to Europe & Islam is deeply rooted .
Go out meet the locals , go to villages talk to people & see it for your self.Moroccans are clever enough to make a difference between an american & the American foreign policies ,so do not worry about that you will have i hope a very good experience in the Land of Tarik Ibnou Ziyad & the Land of the first Uni in the world
Marrakech , Fez ,Assilah ,Essaouira a few must see places also take time to see the villages to see the the "raw" Moroccans
Thanks so much for your responses and for your overwhelming openness. I especially thank you for giving me permission to be candid and inquisitive.
One of the reasons that we wish to make this trip to Morocco is that, after the events of 9/11 and the horrific press that continues to follow, the Arab world and Muslims have been painted as terribly threatening. I know this must not really be the case—even your responses to my first inquiry have reassured me. But the fear is real throughout the U.S. and I think God is grieving over this. (I also think some political people have amplified the fear and used it to promote what are in my mind some very bad international policies. I am learning that fear is a terrible weapon.)
Speaking of my children, I must add that I think this might be the first of several trips to Morocco. My husband and I are trying to raise our daughters to not think the “American Way” is the only way. That is not to say we don’t love our country, and families, etc. But, by the grace of God, my husband and I have jobs that allow us to work anywhere there is internet access. So when the children are out of school, we are able to move to other places so that they can see how other people live and meet children in other cultures, etc. I am thinking Morocco is our next family destination. (We have done this in Central America. That is probably a lot more than you ever want to know, but thanks for reading on.)
Okay, so some practical questions, please. What would you suggest as far as public transportation to get around the country. Trains? Busses? Please keep in mind that we don’t read Arabic!!! (I am so impressed you all are so eloquent in English. After trying to pick up Arabic basics, I was amazed how different the languages are!)
And since we don’t speak Arabic, how will we make advance hotel reservations, etc.? Or do we even need to? We have no desire to stay in international chain hotels while we are there—nor could we probably afford to do so.
I am so relieved to find that you all are so open to questions because I do have so many questions, many of them about Islam and Arab perspectives. But I will save those for another day. Thanks for your hospitality.
Thanks so much!
Barbara
P.S. The last person who posted a messaged mentioned that the war in Iraq (which I think is criminal) is perceived as a war against Islam. The western perspective does not so closely tie religion and politics and so it is difficult for me to understand.
Public transport in Morocco leaves a lot to be desired , but if you have to use it i would suggest the train on first class ( its not expensive at all $10 for Casablanca - Marrakech = 160 miles journee)
A car hire may be the best option for a familly, as it will work out cheaper ,a small car with AC will set you about $40 per day but please be warned that driving in Morocco is not for the faith hearted !!!
Most 3* hotels should be ok , most of them speak English , French for sure, these places will charge 40 to $ 50 for a double room
I m very pleased to hear that some people are interested in Islam and our country. Do you already know which cities are you going to visit? Do you have an idea? For the public transport, i advise you to take the train, its comfortable and cheap, its more expensive than busses of course but it s worth.
And in hotels, there is no pb if you dont speak arabic, most hotels speak French and English. You can find cheap hotels 1* for 10-15 euros.
Have a nice trip and if you have any questions it will be a pleasure to respond.
As an English visitor to Morocco, I have to echo what most of the others say. In 25 years of visiting the country I have never once felt threatened or unwelcome. The people are very friendly and very polite. If you understand French you will be fine. English is a little less spoken, but amongst the younger population it is becoming more and more popular. I think I would avoid travel by bus, as someone else said. The problem is - many of the bus drivers are paid by the number of trips they do and the number of passengers - a recipe for disaster! The trains are excellent. There are some areas I would perhaps avoid, if I was an unaccompanied topurist and not used to the country. Be sensible. If you hire a car be very careful! The police are clamping down on dangerous driving, but it is a mammoth task and re-educating the drivers will not happen overnight. We always take our own car and touch wood - we have never had an incident but are always ultra-careful. You need eyes in the back of your head when driving!
Hi Barbara, you wouldn't have any problems in Morocco, people will be seeking to help you in all occasions...as for english it will not be a problem at least in hotels but you will be surprised in many restaurants that people are asking you and helping you choose your dinner, explaning the content of different Moroccan food and all in english. One more thing I'd like to mention, the Arabic World is vaste and every conutry is different than the other so don't thing that by visiting Morocco you'll expect that Egypt or Jordan are the same...Morocco is the country where we have many dialectals and even the spoken Arabic isn't really arabic but a Moroccan dialectal that has been formed by the contrast of many languages and civilisations...one example that I can give you will be that an Egyptian visiting morocco will be strugling to understand if he understands anything, we do have common expressions and words but that's about it. Also Morocco isn't only an Arabic contry but also berber and even the population id devided between them..and each group is divided in to subgroups..berbers (Rifi, Sousil, Amaziri...) Arab (Fassi, doukali, Chamali, Sahrawi...). don't be scared of people, they will try to get close to you and very friendly. As for US image in Morocco and the US policy in the middle east and also worldwide, Moroccans do know that the American administration is controlled by many things...Oil, Multinationals, and that the American people have the least to say in all this, in the states and in the political field you can only follow one of 2 parties and they are both controlled and have obligations that they never declare at election time. I will be very surprised if any morccan approch you to talk about Iraq or the conflict in palestine, their sens of hospitality wouldn't let them open such subjects and you will see this yourself... Are you staying long in Morocco? if it's the case then you can do a little toor and don't stay just in hotels you can rent an appartement or a little villa in Agadir for example and while staying in Marackech you can visit the surronding cities and villages, renting a car is the best option but the railway network should be handy to use. Offcourse not everything is great but I can tell you that it's always safe for you and your family to adventure in villages and cities without been scared. Have a good trip and enjoy it and as we say in Morocco, lah Idik we rajek ala kheir (May God bring you their and bring you back in good health) take care. All the best Regards Aby
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