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North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
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Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 4 Sep 2005
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Ramadam
I noticed that our planned trip to morocco coincides with Ramadam.

Apart from the requirement to respect the Muslims fasting, ie dont eat or drink in front of them, are there any other potential difficulties associated.

Thanks Baz
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  #2  
Old 4 Sep 2005
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For tourists there's not much that changes, except then that there are opportunities to get invited to one of those ramadan braking dinners. In the first few days you can get across people that are in not a very good mood because they can't have that sigarette right now.
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Old 4 Sep 2005
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hi Baz
shops and offices have different opening hours. Before sundown there is rushhour on the streets, everybody is going home. Then the streets are empty for a few hours.

Better you don't smoke in public too.

Enjoy your trip!

Ursula
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Old 4 Sep 2005
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Especially in the villages, make sure you buy your bread for the following day(s) in the late afternoon, as you may find nothing in the morning of the next day...
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Old 5 Sep 2005
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Its more difficult to find in Ramadan. Even in the bigger hotels. Sometimes I could see cans of Heinekin, Flag etc. behind counters, but no-one would sell it to me. Food is usually not a problem. Banks shut early.
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  #6  
Old 6 Sep 2005
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IMHO its a really good time to visit the country. The hours change significantly so for example, there is a lot more going on in the evenings. We spent a week in Rabat for instance during Ramadam where every evening, people sat outside cafes until late in to the night where as we have been back since outside of Ramadam and everything closes fairly early in the evening. It may be slightly harder to find food and drink during the day but other than that its a good time to visit.
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  #7  
Old 28 Sep 2005
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The driving gets crazier at Ramadan (if possible) - esp towards sunset when workers drive home like maniacs as they are dying for food. Its worth avoiding sunset as a driving time near inhabited areas - the number of crashes in Cairo for example is horrendous at sunset during Ramadan.
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Old 8 Oct 2005
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Hi,

I'm in Sale (rabat) right now, be sure to sleep somewhere where the noise won't get to you
I'm staying with a traditional family here and it does takes some adapting. I only sleep a few houres a day. In the evening it's crowded and noisy in the streets, at night (3to4) drums are waking you up to pray or to eat, and at 6 in the morning people are getting up to eat before sunrise.
Besides food and drink there are also a lot of other things that are not allowed. smoking, parfum, brushing teets, sex.. but a lot of people do all of this insides there houses! "ni vu ni connu" they say
I leave monday for a 2 week tour of Marocco with the father of the family. It's great not plan everything in advance!

[This message has been edited by Eric Collignon (edited 07 October 2005).]
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  #9  
Old 8 Oct 2005
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The biggest drawback to Ramadan is that things close early or shut down the whole month. Every store closes early and it is almost impossible to find a restaurant that is open. Even in the big cities, one is resigned to buying in the grocery stores and cooking it oneself. Little vendor shops that are always selling refreshments and water on the side of the road are closed. It is also important to not drink or eat in public. Something as simple as taking a swig of water will draw a glare.
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