Difference between revisions of "Morocco"
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Hitching in '''Morocco''' is good despite the scarcity of vehicles on some routes. Bring a ''big'' bottle of water, a hat, and maybe a book to read. Many people will not want payment, but it can be hard to avoid the interest of grand taxis (who will definitely want payment). Sticking out the index finger instead of the thumb is the local way apparently. | Hitching in '''Morocco''' is good despite the scarcity of vehicles on some routes. Bring a ''big'' bottle of water, a hat, and maybe a book to read. Many people will not want payment, but it can be hard to avoid the interest of grand taxis (who will definitely want payment). Sticking out the index finger instead of the thumb is the local way apparently. | ||
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Compared to the hassle of the cities, hitching in Morocco is a very pleasant experience and a good opportunity to meet some genuine friendly people who ''don't'' want to sell you a carpet. | Compared to the hassle of the cities, hitching in Morocco is a very pleasant experience and a good opportunity to meet some genuine friendly people who ''don't'' want to sell you a carpet. | ||
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* [[Tangier]] | * [[Tangier]] | ||
* [[Tetouan]] | * [[Tetouan]] | ||
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| + | ==Sleeping== | ||
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| + | Cheap hotels are available in the medinas of most cities for 20-40 Dirham. Expect an uncomfortable mattress, cold communal shower and don’t be surprised if you wake up with bug bites. Hotels are required to see your passport and most will want to hold it until they make a photocopy. There is little danger of a hotel worker stealing your passport but it is a good idea to keep several photocopies with you for peace-of-mind. | ||
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| + | ===Under the Stars=== | ||
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| + | Outside most cities and towns are places one can sleep discretely without a tent. Just make sure you get up before dawn. Also be aware that out-of-the-way spots that look like good places to sleep are often used as public toilets. Public parks, where they exist, tend to be “cruising areas” where men meet to have sex. | ||
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| + | In some places, especially near trucking routes, are semi-permanent tents made of plastic sheeting wrapped around a timber frames. These are usually empty though you may want to ask first. | ||
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| + | ===Getting invited into people homes=== | ||
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| + | If you are humble and quiet and kind this will come quite easily. Sometimes the hospitality is exhausting and you may want to take a cheap hotel for some privacy and space to breath. | ||
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== Personal Experiences == | == Personal Experiences == | ||
Revision as of 02:04, 29 October 2008
 Morocco | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| Language: | Arabic, French |
| Capital: | Rabat |
| Population: | 33,757,175 |
| Currency: | Moroccan dirham (MAD) |
| Hitchability: |  (good)
|
| Meet fellow hitchhikers on Trustroots | |
Hitching in Morocco is good despite the scarcity of vehicles on some routes. Bring a big bottle of water, a hat, and maybe a book to read. Many people will not want payment, but it can be hard to avoid the interest of grand taxis (who will definitely want payment). Sticking out the index finger instead of the thumb is the local way apparently.
Compared to the hassle of the cities, hitching in Morocco is a very pleasant experience and a good opportunity to meet some genuine friendly people who don't want to sell you a carpet.
Cities
Sleeping
Cheap hotels are available in the medinas of most cities for 20-40 Dirham. Expect an uncomfortable mattress, cold communal shower and don’t be surprised if you wake up with bug bites. Hotels are required to see your passport and most will want to hold it until they make a photocopy. There is little danger of a hotel worker stealing your passport but it is a good idea to keep several photocopies with you for peace-of-mind.
Under the Stars
Outside most cities and towns are places one can sleep discretely without a tent. Just make sure you get up before dawn. Also be aware that out-of-the-way spots that look like good places to sleep are often used as public toilets. Public parks, where they exist, tend to be “cruising areas” where men meet to have sex.
In some places, especially near trucking routes, are semi-permanent tents made of plastic sheeting wrapped around a timber frames. These are usually empty though you may want to ask first.
Getting invited into people homes
If you are humble and quiet and kind this will come quite easily. Sometimes the hospitality is exhausting and you may want to take a cheap hotel for some privacy and space to breath.
Personal Experiences
<map lat='32' lng='-5' zoom='5' view='0' float='right'/> About border crossings:
- “I was homosexually harassed by an older border policeman while coming from Morocco to Ceuta. I don´t forgive such, so I approached Moroccan consulates in both Malaga and London. In Malaga they obviously protect such criminals and London wasn´t very helpful either. I did send letters to the ministries of tourism and interior affairs, as well as to the border chief but nobody was interested. So, if you really have to come to this country, make sure you don´t cross the borders alone!”
Hitchhiking Events
From the LCD:
- The 2007 Hitch has just wrapped up with a record-breaking 760 Hitchers completing the 1,600 mile journey to Morocco, and 26 the 800 mile journey to Prague. The Hitch is LCD’s largest fundraising event and hitching the 1600 or 800 miles is a true feat of achievement. All the Hitchers have now safely returned to the UK, but the money is still rolling in.
