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            Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love,
            live in or have just visited - are what make this guide.
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                <title>Dealing with hassle</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20062</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[There are lots of young men who will accost you as you walk around Marrakech and try to act as your guide to take you to wherever you are going and then demand a fee. This is particularly so once you leave the main square and are heading out to somewhere less easy to find - for example the Bahia Palace, or the Dar Zellij restaurant. Be aware too that some of them will pretend that somewhere is closed when it is not, or will send you off on the wrong direction in order then to get one of their friends to set you right. This is a great shame because it means that, rather than interacting with people, you sometimes have to blank them or even pretend to speak a different language. If you do need directions to somewhere it may be preferable to ask a woman or an older man or a storekeeper - they are more likely to give you accurate directions out of common courtesy without then wanting to accompany you or expecting money in return. If you do end up being accompanied by a 'faux guide' against your will, you may want to explain that you are happy to talk to them along the way but do not wish to have a guide and will not be paying them any money if they accompany you. At least that way, when you reach your destination, you can feel comfortable sticking to your guns and refusing to pay - though be prepared to be pestered repeatedly and to have to hold your resolve. Of course there may be no harm giving a few coins to a boy who has taken some time to get you to the right place, but they should not expect to charge more than this and should be prepared to give you correct and honest information for free.  So when one lad demanded 20 dirhams (more than a taxi fare across town) just for telling us which door on the street we were looking for we robustly refused - pour decourager les autres.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Explore Djemaa el Fna at night</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11672</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[You have to try it at least once. Most of the stalls are geared to tourists. These usually have large displays of food and hustlers persuading you to eat at their stall. Treat it as a bit of fun but keep control of what you want to eat. For not much more you can eat in one of the many restaurants around the square and get more for your money. The gem is probably the packed stall selling fish (and chips), mainly to locals. Squeeze in when you can &amp; enjoy.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Djemaa el Fna</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4597</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[The central square of Marrakech.  It is fantastic, especially in the evening. Smoke rises up from the dozens of food stalls which all offer beautiful piles of vegetables, merguez sausages, kebabs, tagines and more. The cooks will call to you as you walk by, but take your time as you're protected by the watchful eye of the tourist police.  When you've chosen, sit down and watch as they theatrically pour out mint tea for you. Bread and sauces are provided.  Point out what you want cooked, and then prepare to be defeated.  About £5 for much more than two people can eat.<br><br>In the daytime fresh juices are on offer.  Orange for about 10p, mandarin/clementine for 20p.<br><br>The medina offers everything, from dried rose petals to the thuya wood ornaments, and sweets,but was the only place where I was groped and pestered. <br><br>And down the road from Djemaa el Fna (the Koutobia Mosque side) is a lovely hammam.  Segregated times (so men go in the morning, and women in the afternoon).  From Koutobia cross the main road as if you are going to Djemaa el Fna. Take the narrow side road, and follow it down. About 500m down on your left is the hammam. A very cheap, very interesting and relaxing experience.]]></description>
                
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