In April of 2017, I will be heading to northern Morocco
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Now, a lot of people I know are already feeling uneasy about my decision, but hear me out. Morocco has been on my list for a long time, and I’ve had a growing desire to set foot on the continent of Africa (making my total tally 4 of 7 continents!). And combined with a nostalgia for the beauty and culture of the Middle East, it only made sense to make Morocco my next destination.
But for anyone worried about my safety, here are a few things I hope will ease your mind.
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1. Morocco is actually very safe. (Safer than many European countries!)
Jamaa el Fna in Marrakech, Morocco. Photo source: @YoTuT / Flickr
Believe it or not, there is almost no reported terrorist activity in Morocco. In fact, the last time Morocco experienced a terrorist attack was way back in 2011.[1][2] Since then, police have heightened security and taken extra precautions to make sure the country remains safe, likely due to its proximity to both Europe and many countries which report high levels of crime and terrorism. And they’ve done very well, as the country remains one of the safest in that area of the world.
Beyond that, I know what to expect as a woman traveling in a Middle Eastern country. I have read up on the best ways to deal with harassment, I don’t plan on dressing provocatively or carrying around expensive items, and I’ve had some practice with what to do and say thanks to my visit to Turkey back in 2014. You actually learn to tune it out pretty quickly.
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Moroccan art. Photo source: Alex Proimos / Wikimedia Commons
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Further reading on the safety of Morocco as a country:
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/morocco.html
https://www.quora.com/Why-is-Morocco-still-safe-from-ISIS-and-terrorist-attacks
https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2014/07/134806/what-to-wear-in-morocco-a-guide-for-westerners/
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2. Yes, it is predominately a Muslim country. No, that doesn’t make me afraid.
A Moroccan musician. Photo source: @Ahron de Leeuw / Flickr
We always hear about “Muslim terrorists” and “radical Islam” and blah blah blah blah blah. But you know what? Those things are not mutually exclusive. They do not belong to each other. When we see that someone has bombed an abortion clinic “in the name of God,” do we refer to them as terrorists? Yes, because it is a violent, forceful act which is intended to cause mass death, inflict harm, and incite fear. Are the people who usually commit these crimes Muslim? No, they are Christian.
Now, I’m not trying to throw stones here; no religion is better than the other. What I am trying to point out is that crazy comes in all forms, shapes, and sizes, and they are everywhere in the world. Most people do not look at the darker, more violent parts of the Bible, Quran, or Torah and think “I should kill people because this text is telling me it’s good.” Instead, we recognize that much of it is allegorical and/or happened a long time ago, and should not be taken as literal instructions for living our lives in today’s day and age. And this goes for all religions.
Long story short: “Muslim” does not mean “terrorist.” End of discussion.
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The leather tanneries in Fes (Fez), Morocco. Photo source: Alex Proimos / Wikimedia Commons
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3. I’m going with a group on a guided tour.
The Bab Bou Jeloud in Fes, Morocco (aka “The Blue Gate of Fes”). Photo source: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen / Wikimedia Commons
I’ve never been to this country and I figured, as a female, it will be much less stressful to navigate the streets in a group of people rather than alone. I’m not afraid of being alone (see above paragraph), but I’m not naive enough to think there won’t be any verbal harassment, and I know there will be less of that if I am with at least one other person. I want to spend my time enjoying the country instead of worrying about where I’m going or what I’m doing.
Besides, group travel can be really fun!
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Moroccan desert at morning. Photo source: Wikimedia Commons
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4. I’ll have access to emergency numbers at all times.
A colorful souk in Marrakech. Photo source: public domain
I always write down emergency numbers in my journal before I go, and I make a point to also have them saved into my phone. Also, travel insurance goes a long way, and is required for my group tour.
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5. I plan to be careful with my belongings.
Traditional lamps on display in the souks of Marrakech. Photo source: @torrenegra / Flickr
There’s no doubt that petty crime is rampant in every large city on Earth, but it seems to be especially rampant in Moroccan cities. I’ve done a lot of research on this topic – trust me – so I know what to expect.
I’m always acutely aware of my surroundings when I travel, I already have a plan for where I’m storing certain items, and I keep a very tight grip on my stuff when I’m out and about. This isn’t my first rodeo, and it certainly won’t be my last.
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6. I can speak French well enough to communicate.
“Gate of Shehal, Morocco” by Edwin Lord Weeks. Photo source: Wikimedia Commons
I took five years of French in school and can still read it almost fluently. And French is one of the dominant languages in Morocco, so – lucky me! Now, excuse me while I go practice my French accent.
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7. I will never go somewhere that I feel is unsafe.
The blue city of Chefchaouen. Photo source: @Steffan Jensen / Flickr
Trust me, no matter where I want to go, the very first thing that I always do is extensively research how safe it is for me, a solo American woman, to travel to. I spend days on this stuff before I even begin to think about the planning process. And no matter how much I want to go somewhere, I will never, ever seriously jeopardize my safety to see it.
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Rabat, capital city of Morocco. Photo source: Igor.skokan / Wikimedia Commons
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Going with the theme of my resolution this year, I want to challenge the world around me. I want to prove that certain countries are not as dangerous as the media may lead you to believe. Morocco is in a part of the world that is generally not considered safe at the moment, but the country itself is highly protected and has taken several precautions, and so it remains a wonderful and beautiful destination for all kinds of tourists.
And I’m beyond excited to go!!
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Photo source: Kevin Law / Wikimedia Commons
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Adventure on, my friends!