- Population is approximately 1 million people.
- Nicknamed “Red City” due to the pink/red hue of the red clay buildings.
- Plenty of remnants from the Marrakesh-Safi 6.8 earthquake from September 8, 2023, when 2,900 souls lost their lives. Although the epicenter was 45 miles southwest of Marrakesh, it caused heavy damage to the ancient section of the city. The city rallied and had the tourist areas open within 3 months. Construction barriers and scaffolding remain around the city surrounding damaged buildings.
- The average yearly salary in Marrakesh is $14,000. A few professional examples: Nurse – $15,000, Pilot – $20,000, Pharmacists- $23,000.
- Alcohol can be purchased by 18-year-olds. Alcohol is very limited. Since most people in Morocco are Muslim, it is inappropriate to consume alcohol in public or in front of anyone who might find it offensive. There was a liquor store by our apartment and several restaurants in our neighborhood that served beer and wine.
- Most restaurants allow smoking at the tables.
- Men are very affectionate with each other. Men seem to hang out with men. Women seem to hang out with women. We didn’t see a lot of families or couples hanging out together.
- Boys are daredevils! We saw boys jump on the bumper of a bus and ride it. Several boys on rollerblades hung onto a car, in very busy traffic, and rolled down the road with the car. A boy on a bike grabbed on to the edge of our horse and carriage to get a ride without having to do the work of pedaling.
- Lots of people, including young children, walk the streets trying to sell Kleenex packs, sunglasses, homemade nut bars, and bread to earn money.
- The first day we were in the Medina it was very overwhelming – the crowds, the motorbikes, the carts… I couldn’t even look around as I had to pay attention so I wouldn’t get hit or bump into someone or something. The second time we were in the Medina there were fewer people and motorbikes. We need to research the “quietest” times so we can leisurely window shop and enjoy the work of the many metal, sewing, leather, and wood craftsmen.
- Traffic is extremely intriguing. There is plenty of traffic and yet it is relatively quiet. Small beeps from drivers to indicate “I’m here” or “I am passing”. The Medina area is bumper to bumper, and everyone has about 1 inch to pass each other whether on a motor bike, in a vehicle or on foot. It has taken me several days to learn how to cross the street confidently. You need to look to see if a car or motorbike is at least 5 feet away from you before stepping off the curb. Then commit, look straight ahead, and trust any oncoming car or motorbike will indeed go around you and not hit you. They cut right in front of you or pass right behind you. The first few days, it took me a long time to cross streets because I was afraid of being hit. Mike reassured me that we didn’t see anyone get hit and people weren’t laying on the side of the road, so I would be ok.
- We were waiting for a city bus. It seemed like we were the only ones waiting. However, when the bus pulled up about 50 people rushed up to the bus ahead of us and people kept coming and going to the front of the group to get on the bus. They don’t push and they aren’t rude to each other. Maybe there is some kind of “system” that we didn’t understand. The only thing we did understand is that they don’t use the “queue” system for buses that we are used to. We found the same system to be true in grocery stores. We would be waiting in line for a checkout counter to open and everyone would just walk around us and go to a checkout counter ahead of us.
- Taxi drivers are always trying to get business. They come and ask you to take a taxi when you are waiting for a bus, walking down the street, and standing at a street corner. They will often beep, when driving past you, and slow down. Needless to say, it’s easy to get a taxi!
- We took day trips out of Marrakesh, using Red City Tours, to Setti Falls and Ouzoud Waterfalls. Both areas are major tourist areas for Moroccans. It was a holiday week (Labor Day, May 1st) so the kids were off of school and it was very busy in both locations. There are endless vendors selling their goods everywhere. They work all winter long making their handmade treasures to sell during the Spring and Summer. You just want to buy something from each and every one of them to help them (plus the items are beautiful).
- Toilettes (public bathrooms) range in what we are used to in the States, to “don’t flush the paper”, to holes in the ground. Many toilettes have attendants that you pay to get toilet paper or just to use the facilities.
- When we attended the ballet, the event paused during the call to prayer.
- Overall a great experience being in Marrakesh and we would definitely spend time here again!
Marrakesh Observations
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3 responses to “Marrakesh Observations”
Great to meet you guys in Imlil
It was so good to meet you all, too. Having dinners like last night and getting to spend time with people like you two and Liz and Andy will always be the best kinds of experiences we have on this journey!
I always look forward to your blogs, Sandy, because, besides being so informative, I know there’s going to be something that makes me laugh. My favorite part of this one is how Michael explained to you that you had no reason to fear death crossing the road. As always, I’ll laugh the rest of the day when I think about it. lol, lol, lol!!! <3