I spent a few weeks in Morocco with my Land Rover two years ago with no problem at all - other than those caused by an overly agressive friend in a Toyota:

When we arrived in a small town (Moulay Idris IIRC) he first led us (in vehicles) through all the small back-streets causing chaos to the locals going about their daily business. After our second lap(!) he decided we should park in the town square. Three youths then approached us and demanded 10 dirhams (about 0.65 UKP, 1.00 USD) for 'parking'). I knew it was extortion but the amount was so small that I was all for handing this too them and wandering off for a look around the town and to get some shopping. But my mate [thought he] knew better and started to pick an argument with them. One thing led to another and people started pushing each-other and, suddenly, we were in the middle of a group of about 20 or 30 youths, all shouting at us (well, mostly him, I was trying to keep out of it!). It was very frightening as we were heavily outnumbered and I was glad when he got back into his Toyota and we left town.

The morals here: One: If he'd had a weapon then, if he had been stupid enough to pull it, there is no question that it is him who would ultimately have wound up being hurt with it. Two: It is these people's home we are travelling through and their are cultural differences - respect those differences, don't start fights over them, and you'll probably not need a weapon anyway.

I carry two knives when travelling. One is in my multi-tool, the other in my cooking gear. I certainly do not carry one as a weapon.

Andy

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Andy