Marrakech :: A City of Hustlers and Intricate Details

Marrakech, Maroc

Wow, where to begin.

I left freezing cold Bilbao and arrived in sunny Marrakech on Thursday, October 21. This was my first time stepping foot on the African continent! I was really excited, but also wary. I read up on Marrakech and knew that the city was full of people trying to hustle you out of your money. I had to bring my street smarts and put on my best poker face.

The airport bus dropped me off at Place Djemma el Fna, which was the starting point of the rambling directions to my hostel. Place Djemma el Fna is a huge square in Marrakech's medina (old city). This square is the main hub of Marrakech and is constantly bustling with locals and tourists.

I spotted Cafe Argana, the first landmark I had to find in my quest to find my hostel. I took the street left of the cafe and right away, I met my first Moroccan hustler. He was a small, thin man with a friendly smile. He nonchalantly asked us if we needed any help getting to our hotel/hostel. And we, without giving it much thought, told him the name of the hostel we were staying at. It was only when he pulled out a stack of business cards of different hotels and hostels that I realized he was probably going to ask us for money after escorting us to our destination. I already wrote down directions AND sketched a rough map. I knew that I didn't need any help finding the hostel, but no matter how many times we said "no thanks" to the man, he was persistent. He kept "leading the way." I was fed up with this man, and on impulse, I ducked into a small side street and waited long enough for him to move on to another gullible tourist. :D

Unfortunately, my other encounters with Moroccan hustlers were not all success stories like this one. This is a city where everything, including unsolicited help, comes with a price.

Anyway, I made it to my hostel without any trouble. This hostel was amazing. I've stayed at Equity Point hostels in Madrid and in Barcelona, but the one in Marrakech was by far the most impressive. It is tucked away a little north of Place Djemaa el Fna, in a narrow and winding street. From the outside, it didn't look very impressive. But once inside, I felt like I was in a Moroccan palace. The interior design was absolutely beautiful. The rooms were furnished with dark, chocolate brown furniture, Moroccan made fixtures and accessories. There was a restaurant/bar on the top floor which led to a rooftop terrace with a panoramic view of the city. I was in love.

View from the rooftop

One of the common areas, isn't it beautiful?

My room

Rooftop lounge area

Moroccan details

With a hostel this detailed, I knew I was in for a sensory treat in Marrakech. The inner, interior design geek in me went wild as I marveled at the color schemes, patterns and the intricate details everywhere I went.