Stepping foot on Moroccan soil ignites the senses in a way that most will likely not have experienced before. It is warm and dusty, the roads are chaotic, and many places look like ancient cities with a Game of Thrones kind of vibe. There are bright spices, markets, loud conversations and many, many stares.
Arriving in Marrakech
When I touched down in Marrakech early last year, I was tense and excited. I had booked a transfer car, rather than dealing with the stress of potentially not getting safely to my apartment via taxi.
A lovely guy took me to his car, and we began the journey into town. I always make sure I’ve pinned everything on my map so that even when I don’t have wifi, I can still track where I’m going. We pulled up way short of my pin, and he loaded my suitcase into a pushcart and told me another guy would take me to my apartment by foot, and not to pay him, as it was covered in my booking.
A super friendly man who spoke just a little English took me past the main market in the Medina and up a narrow alley to my apartment. When we reached my apartment, he put his hand out for money. I said that I was told not to pay him, at which point he responded with a laugh and a shrug. He didn’t care that he had just tried to rip me off, he no doubt thought it was worth a shot. I honestly didn’t mind much, either. I was just grateful I had been warned.