Grace45

The first time I went to Morocco was with my first husband, although I wasn’t married to him then. He is the father of my first child.

I was the second place I had been abroad a far different cry from Ibiza at 18!!

It was a fascinating place and yes I can still remember it so well. We went in November when the weather wasn’t too hot. My only regret now I look back is that I didn’t go on a camel. Although my boyfriend (later first husband Adrian) was offered a gold watch and 300 camels for me. At the time I was quite insulted. Does anyone know how much camels were worth back in 1982 and 300 of them.

It was a real culture shock going to Morocco but because it was such a different place than the usual spain package tours (although this was a package tour), I was quite captivated and also quite scared as it was so different.

Children beggars were the first thing I can remember and I didn’t know what to do so I ignored them. We stayed in a hotel but managed to go around all the markets which I loved. I bartered really well and got a beautiful leather jacket for £60 which I had for years until it finally dropped off.

The skills of seeing the people make the carpets was amazing and yes we were both bombarded by the market owners to buy one but they were expensive back then!!

We went to Marakesh for a trip and luckily I had brought a skirt with me because just as we were getting off the coach the guide said that all women must cover their legs. I was relieved. Marakesh was fantastic and enthralling but as I later found out it can also be a dangerous place. I heard of a story on our last night there with friends that a german lady had been abducted and kept in a cupboard, fortunately they found her just in time. I must admit at the time I was really shocked.

We had couscous and I still like it today. There is so much I could say I can remember it so well and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I would recommend it but I wouldn’t go, even now as a single woman!