abasketcase

Should we book a tour, or try this on our own? We would like to spend a week or so, perhaps a sunrise/set trip on a camel - definitely the Fes Medina. not sure if we would feel safe going it on our own...we do not speak Arabic, and only a tiny bit of French and Spanish.

ttraveler

I went to Morocco with a friend a couple of years ago. We flew into Cassablanca and then on to Marakesh. Before we were even off the plane we met a gentlemen who along with his wife who was already there insisted we have dinner at his Mother's house ..which we did..They were living in New York and just wanted to make sure we were having a good time. This was the case all throughout our trip. So with that being said I think that you and your boys would be fine. Have you traveled much with them?
We were able to visit the Atlas Mountains with a guide and then found our way to Agadir where we met up with some friends, one who was from Morocco.
Morocco is a wonderful, colorful country. Have a great time.

abasketcase

Thanks for your reply! I have taken them to the Grand Canyon, New York City and Bavaria/Salzburg. When we were landing in NYC and before we left for Munich I started to panic...wondering what I was thinking!! All trips have been wonderful so far. My older son is a pretty good "naviguesser", and we spoke the language...or many folks spoke our language. I have heard several stories about how women are treated in Morocco and am a bit apprehensive, but want the boys to be exposed to travel and not be too afraid to venture out on their own.

CindyW

My friend who lives in Morocco always hires a guide when she takes people into Fez. You might want to consider that, even if you don't have a guide for the rest of the time. I was with her the whole time I was there, and she speaks Arabic. The only time I was alone was on a train ride to Casablanca from Medina. Then I spent one night at a hotel, and left by taxi to the airport the next morning. So I don't have a good answer to your question, except in regards to Fez. It will be an amazing experience for you and your boys!

abasketcase

Thanks for your post! Did you feel comfortable on the train by yourself? If we go alone, we expect to travel between cities by train.

CindyW

Well, I didn't feel comfortable, but I'm not used to traveling alone, and I'd been totally dependent on my Arabic speaking friend the whole time until then. Once I got settled in, though, a man and woman sat down next to me, and the man was listening to one of the bands I like on his computer. I said, "American music?" And he said, in great English, "Yes. I used to live in Chicago." We had a good conversation, I learned A LOT about his view. (What are Berbers? I asked, which is a question that got a different answer every time I asked it. And how do you view yourself, as a Moroccan, an African, etc. He said, Muslim, first, Arab, second, Moroccan, third, and not an African at all. He also talked about how difficult it is for him as an Arab to travel in the US since 911.) AND as he was helping me off the train with my luggage, we realized that we were reading the SAME book, about the trade of white slaves in Africa in the 1800s. White Gold, I think it's called.

But when I first got on, my porter couldn't find my seat, and so had to leave me in the middle of the aisle with two huge suitcases. As the train started moving, he had this panicked look in his eye, and ran and jumped off, and I flung him his tip, which relieved his panicked look, I hope. Then when I finally lugged it all down the aisle to another car, the young men in my compartment acted like I was in the wrong place, and wouldn't get up until the conductor came and argued with them and yelled at them, and that was uncomfortable, knowing that they were talking about me. And then when I was walking to get my taxi, one driver said to me, "Don't go with him. He's a bad man." Oh, great, I thought. But I did go with him (he already had my luggage), and he was very nice, and liked it that I am from Kentucky (they have a KFC in Casablanca).

Sorry for the run-on commentary. But it's kind of fun remembering it all. The thing is, if I would have had my sons with me, every bit of it would have been fun, though looking back, I bet that I wouldn't have had such a great conversation with the guy on the train.

Travel light if you can. By the second train, you will have figured out the system. Can you do a mix of both, touring and on your own? I am thinking that if you spend a few days touring, then you'll learn some basic words, get used to the money, etc. Then you can go off on your own, a little more confident. A lot of people speak French, by the way.

I think that people will appreciate you being there with your sons, and will be respectful. They'd like it even more if they were babies. My friend who lives there would have people in the market come up and take her baby from her arms and walk her around and show her off to everyone before returning her. She just got used to that, though she'd have a cow if that happened in the US.

Some of my friends left for Morocco yesterday. They say that it's over 100 degrees, and that's in Ifrane, up in the mountains!

Let us know what you decide about this trip!

abasketcase

It is so much fun to hear everyone else's stories. I like the idea about hiring a guide first to get acclimated...thanks!

I have been searching Expedia for the best priced airfare...even if we leave on Christmas Day, it is not cheap but I bet the prices are only going to go up.

I think we can swing this, we will pack light, learn some French and Arabic (I have a colleague at work who has agreed to help me with some simple phrases)and meet up with a good guide - who is hopefully in my budget. See, I am already talking myself into it!!!

Thanks again!

sunshine007

Arabic in Morocco is quite different than Arabic in, say, Egypt.

abasketcase

My colleague is from Lebanon, he has shared that very same information with me, but said he can teach me the "book" version of Arabic, and they should understand in Morocco. My first lesson has been how to say No, and it is in line with what I have read on these boards...La Shakran. He told me to be sure I "roll my r's". I want to learn Thank You and Excuse Me next.