European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - March 5, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse Travel ornately Dreutz water Sellert do t Good business in twittering Morocco. Still a bargain Morocco is Infa Yunga new took and Aptil trily i tint of the world s most favored Winter results. Tourism was up in ont a similar boost is Ftp Pector wit a she 19s6 figures ire la Lierl. In the new Hustle six new no Fec ivc opened in Minke so including the restoration in Arl Deco style of the old amount hotel. Wurtz s famed a ill Rinju holes or the Rich Anil fam this even the shopkeepers in the indent souk or covered Cru Rovt hards a big attraction is the warm Sun in Winter but helping that along is the act that Morocco is Slilla bargain. Stories by a Lynn Seldom r. Special to stripes Magazine All of the Guidebook Reading possible could t have prepared us for the culture Shock of Morocco. We thought we were ready for the barrage of bazaars hustlers crowds and islamic fanaticism. Preparation meant fillie experience everything. However the initial fears and tension of Tangier disappeared by the Lime we confidently conquered Marrakesh. Morocco is Only a few Miles from Spain but any connection with Europe is severed when you step off the ferry in Tangier. Your sense Are attacked immediately you see the strange clothes hear the Wall prayers smell the couscous cooking inevitably touch passing moroccans in the crowd and literally taste the electricity in the air. Mark Twain called Tangier that african but it s a Quick Way to become immersed in All that s moroccan. The moroccan experience provides Many memories outwitting hustlers pondering a strange religion bargaining at ridiculously Low prices and sampling exotic foods. Because of the intensity of travel there a week feels like a month a month like eternity. It is easy to rebel against Morocco by barricading yourself in a hotel or Lour group but then you d miss the real Morocco. It s Best to dive in without fear. Surprisingly Morocco is As varied As Europe. Fez and Marra Tesh Are the cultural capitals and after the most interesting City Tours. The Atlas mountains provide a peaceful reprieve and Alpine like hiking climbing and skiing peaks reach 13,750 it. The Atlantic and Mediterranean beaches Are just being discovered by european tour groups. Then there s the Sahara desert. It begins in Southern Morocco and stretches Over an area larger than the Continental u United Stales. We found gelling around Morocco easier than anywhere in Europe. If you have a car it s the driving experience of a lifetime in a country where More than so percent of the people live below the poverty level cars Are rare. The roads Are generally in fanes wide and his invites he moroccan style game of Chicken Between oncoming vehicles. Best to pull Over and live to drive another Day. There Are other a i wite a Fermi r puts on his Art in mar Kish. Local problems Over zealous Roadside salesmen theft in the hashish Rich if mountains and frightening mount an passes. If you can t drive Public transportation is abundant if not efficient. The climate is Ideal year round though Spring and Winter Are the traditional Lour it times it s Best to visit Marrakesh and 1 he Sahara in Winter temporal ures. Often reach 125 degrees in july. The Southern coast is Ideal for achieving the perfect Tan in Spring and fall tha Atlas mountains can be explored Only from april to october unless skiing is on your mind. It can get surprisingly cold at night so pack some sweaters along with those shorts. Moroccan accommodations Are Good thanks to tourism. It s re Lull Cly easy to find Holiday inn style doubles for under $30. The Best hotel in Africa the palais Tamai in Fez costs Only $75 fora double. Camping is also a viable option at $3 to $5 a night for two. Meals in Morocco will be memorable in Many ways. Couscous is the famed National dish of steamed Semolina Rice vegetables and Mutton Chicken or fish. Many restaurants have Dally fixed Price menus for $2 to $4. They Start with a mixed salad then a main dish and finally dessert yoghurt or seasonal fruits. The Best meals Are often found at he dingies of places. Now the bad news. No matter How you try to avoid it diarrhoea is inevitable. Just accept it As the Price for Good moroccan food fast for a Day and Lake Industrial strength medication. Moroccan toilets arc primitive so do some deep knee bends before entering Haven for hustlers Welcome my Friend and if that does t work you la hear ii in at least five other languages. Visitors to most countries have fond memories of certain cultural oddities. Visitors to Morocco remember the hustlers but probably not fondly. You meet them in All forms though they re mostly Young men. The hustlers Are amazing linguists and will attack you with a barrage of languages until you seem to recognize one if they still Don t get your attention they ii examine1 your clothes and Guidebook to develop a new approach. Once they be established Contact however tenuous the hustling begins in Earnest do you know the Cit i you need a guide for the Medina and sights. You be seen everything there s a special berber Market just today. You re just going to the mosque and you know where it is it s closed today. Thanks but you Don t need him you must be a racist to treat him so coldly. Tricks used by hustlers still entrap tourists daily. They la lag along until you reach a sight and then try to extort Money for guiding you there. They la stand at the Entrance loan admission free sigh and try to charge you some even give phoney tickets. Alternatively they la Tell you that a guide to the sight is required by they la intentionally get you lost in a Maze like Medina so that you la have to pay to be led out. They la Hon around tourist hotels posing As guides parking attendants and car they la pose As students or club med employees just wanting to practice their English. A tourist ends up not trusting anyone am that is a pity because genuine moroccan warmth May be missed. With the constant approaches it is difficult id distinguish Between hustling. Jeri Phi it Saint mirth a 1987
