Moroccan Must-Do's
1) Pack Light
Why carry your entire wardrobe with you? Grab yourself a backpack or duffel-bag en lieu of a bulky suit-case. Remember: only pack the essentials! Ladies, keep in mind that Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country therefore women are expected to cover up. The best packing-hack for your trip to Morocco is to keep your luggage partly empty so you can fill it up with original and hand made souvenirs. Trust me, you'll cherish every last millimeter of free-space that you can get your hands on. The unique artisanal crafts, clothes, and jewels are what make the shopping markets in Morocco (also called "souqs") so charming and culturally enriched. You will absolutely want to bring some souvenirs back home because they're the best way to cherish your trip for years to come. Inexpensive as the goods are, learn to bargain... it's an extremely useful skill to practice before visiting a Moroccan souq. Vendors tend to overcharge foreigners because we are unfamiliar with local prices. Start by deciding how much money you're willing to spend on any particular item… if the sales-person's number is absurdly high, offer them half of the price. This will most likely lead to a fair middle-ground amount that you both agree on.
2) Learn Arabic
Before embarking on your journey, set aside a couple hours to go over some common Arabic words and phrases. Youtube videos are a great tool for practicing beginners...use these Free Lesson videos to gain some basic knowledge on things such as numbers and greetings! Think of this as a cultural sign of respect when visiting a foreign country and let's face it, knowing at least a couple phrases in the local language is a total plus!
- Hello (peace be with you) - "al-salāmu ʿalaykum"
- Goodbye (with peace) - "maʿ al-salāmah"
- Please - "min fadlik"
- Thank you - "shukran"
- Yes - "naäam"
- No - "laa"
3) Get a Henna Tattoo
The art of Henna or Mehendi, is a 100% all-natural Moroccan styled tattoo. It was originally a means of connecting humans to "Allah", the Arabic word for "God". The art of henna has been practiced for over 5,000 years but has recently become a creative, trendy, and inexpensive tourist activity. For only 100-200 Moroccan dirham (10 - 20 Euro), an artist will draw an incredible masterpiece on your hands in under twenty minutes. Essentially, henna involves a skin dye made from the leaves of the henna plant and is applied to the skin in swift, symmetric strokes and works. It's properties are said to cleanse the soul of negative energy, bring peace, harmony, and protection from evil.
Image Credit: Livinghours.com
4) Eat Tajine
One of many highlights you'll experience in Morocco is the delicious local cuisine. Tajine is a North African Berber dish which is named after the earthenware pot in which it is cooked. A mouth watering combination of meat, vegetables, and spices slow-cooked together in a cone-shaped clay pot, resulting in a mouth watering meal. A bed of couscous acts as the foundation of the dish and soaks up all of the savory juices, creating Tajine's refined taste. Traditionally served with Moroccan bread and a chili pepper paste known as harissa, Tajine takes comfort food to a totally new level. Whether or not you eat meat, Tajine can be made to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and even gluten-free diets. Don't forget to ask for some Moroccan mint tea which is a sign of hospitality, friendship, and tradition.
Image Credit: Realfood.tesco.com
5) Appreciate The Symmetry
Too many people are completely overworked and feel as if there’s never enough time in the day to get everything done. If you’re one of these people - Morocco is the place for you! Balance and symmetry are deeply ingrained in the Moroccan culture, so much that they are manifested through the patterns and symmetrical architecture Morocco is know for. While wandering one of Morocco's cities, keep an eye out for symmetrical designs and let them be your reminders to appreciate the little things.
Image Credit: Lonelyplanet.com
