Orin Hargraves - CultureShock! Morocco

This 5th edition published in 2009. Reprinted 2010.

Published by Marshall Cavendish Corporation

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First published in 1995 by Times Editions Pte Ltd, reprinted 1996 (twice), 1997, 1998; 2nd edition published in 1999, reprinted 1999, 2000 (twice), 2001, 2002; 3rd edition published in 2003, reprinted 2003; 4th edition published in 2006, reprinted 2007.

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eISBN: 978 981 4435 89 5

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Photo Credits:

All black and white photos from the author except pages viii, 134135, 188189 (Photolibrary). All colour images from Photolibrary. Cover photo: Photolibrary

All illustrations by TRIGG

Culture shock is a state of disorientation that can come over anyone who has been thrust into unknown surroundings, away from ones comfort zone. CultureShock! is a series of trusted and reputed guides which has, for decades, been helping expatriates and long-term visitors to cushion the impact of culture shock whenever they move to a new country.

Written by people who have lived in the country and experienced culture shock themselves, the authors share all the information necessary for anyone to cope with these feelings of disorientation more effectively. The guides are written in a style that is easy to read and covers a range of topics that will arm readers with enough advice, hints and tips to make their lives as normal as possible again.

Each book is structured in the same manner. It begins with the first impressions that visitors will have of that city or country. To understand a culture, one must first understand the peoplewhere they came from, who they are, the values and traditions they live by, as well as their customs and etiquette. This is covered in the first half of the book.

Then on with the practical aspectshow to settle in with the greatest of ease. Authors walk readers through how to find accommodation, get the utilities and telecommunications up and running, enrol the children in school and keep in the pink of health. But thats not all. Once the essentials are out of the way, venture out and try the food, enjoy more of the culture and travel to other areas. Then be immersed in the language of the country before discovering more about the business side of things.

To round off, snippets of basic information are offered before readers are tested on customs and etiquette of the country. Useful words and phrases, a comprehensive resource guide and list of books for further research are also included for easy reference.

Shopping and Bargaining

My first debt of gratitude is to the directors of the International Meditation Center USA, and especially to Craig and Charlotte Storti, who have accommodated me in every sense of the word while I was writing this book.

I salute the US Peace Corps who provided me the opportunity to experience Morocco the first time. I am also grateful for the Peace Corps robust and extensive grapevine, which I have used in tracking down resources and information in Morocco. I hope that in writing this book, I have made some contribution towards the Peace Corps third goal of enlarging knowledge and understanding about the developing world.

Many people in Morocco went out of their way to help me find information that would have been otherwise much more difficult to ferret out. Among them, I thank Badia Bakkali, Bettina Brunner, Khalil El Harim, Hakim Illi, Criss Juliard, Joe Kitts, Latifa Louraoui, Jim and Heidi Lowenthal, Alexander Moll and Stephanie Sweet. I must also mention Fatima Meskina, who over the years has opened many doors in Morocco to me that most foreigners never get to see beyond.

In London, I thank Mr Bennis of the Moroccan Embassy. In the United States, I say thank you very much to the ladies of the Westminster Branch of the Carroll County Public Library, including those who work in interlibrary loan. If there are libraries in heaven, surely they work like this one does.

Finally, I record my deep appreciation of Maati Ouarraki, my friend of 15 years who has kept my Arabic alive through his tireless correspondence, provided a home for me whenever I have visited Morocco and showed me an enduring example of loyalty and faith in friendship that I shall always treasure.

When I meet fellow Americans travelling about in North Africa, I ask them, What did you expect to find here? Almost without exception, regardless of the way they express it, the answer, reduced to its simplest terms, is a sense of mystery. They expect mystery, and they find it.
Paul Bowles, Morocco

The prospect of packing up and setting off for a prolonged stay in a faraway country is one of the most exciting things on offer for us humans. It satisfies the parts of us that crave stimulation, discovery, novelty and change. After all, what could better answer any discontent in our lives than a wholesale change to an environment where we can make a completely fresh start?