Apartments, Shopping, & McArabia

Thanks to Barrie who provided some valuable information about life in Marrakech.
What are the apartments like?

I came from paying $1150 a month in Brooklyn for an apartment that was ridiculously small, so when I saw the apartments in Marrakech, I almost cried tears of joy. I live in a different building than you guys will live in and I haven't seen the apartments there yet, but Ryan has, so you might want to ask him the details on those places. Apparently, they are much newer and cleaner than the apartments in the building where I live, so that is pretty sweet. My apartment is two bedrooms, one full bath, one half bath, an office, a kitchen, a huge living room with cool Moroccan detailing on the ceiling and nice views-lots of light.

I live about a ten minute walk from where you will live but you live in an awesome neighborhood. You are right by Kechmara, and awesome bar/coffee shop/restaurant that has really fun (a little cheesy, but very fun) music nights two or three times a week. Our friend Pascal runs it-you should look it up online, I bet you will hang out there a lot (they also have free WiFi - or WeeFee as they call it in Morocco). You're also near all the good pastry shops and you are closer to the Medina than I am. I'll be happy to take you on a little tour of all the good spots in your neighborhood when I get back.

It's easy to get cheap, cool stuff to decorate your apartment with, like rugs and tables and Moroccan knicknacks if you're into that sort of thing. I can help you with that too if you'd like. I believe your apartment comes furnished, so you won't have to buy a bed or banquets (they have those instead of couches in Morocco) or office desks. You probably will want to personalize your place though.

We saw a McDonald's in Morocco on-line, so we know there are some American companies there.  Do they have a WalMart or Target to purchase American-brand toiletries, etc.?

Yes, there is a McDonalds which you will live near. A very good homesick cure. I think I only went once this past year but it's really good. Instead of the Big Mac they have a sandwich called the McArabia.

There are two awesome big box stores about a 20 minute cab ride from your apartment. One is called Marjane and it is like Moroccan Target. It's great. You can get anything you need for your apartment from flatscreen TVs to Moroccan rugs to groceries. It's the best. We love it. Ryan especially loves it and I'm sure he will be happy to take you guys there.

Across the street from Marjane is Mr. Bricolage which is like the Moroccan Home Depot. Also great-you can get paint and other things to fix up your place.

As far as familiar stores go though, there aren't too many. There's a Zara if you like shopping for clothes, but that's about it. I came back to New York this summer wearing dresses that I reconstructed from old caftans and my friends looked at me like I was weird. Be warned, it might happen to you too.

Most products are French or Moroccan but you will recognize the French ones (Loreal, Garnier, etc). There are good grocery stores near where you live - Acima is the best one - and you can get nice produce and bread and wine and stuff. There are also hanouts (little bodegas) on almost every street where you can get milk, eggs, soda, water, Pantene shampoo, Dove soap, etc.

If there are any toiletries or snacks you can't live without, just bring them along. I am bringing cheddar cheese and bagels back this year, but other than that, I wasn't really missing anything.

What should we be prepared for as soon as we arrive?

I would bring a good amount of money to get started with for the first month. We usually don't get paid until the 20th or later and money can go really fast in the first month getting settled. I'd try to bring around $1500-$2000 for the first month between the two of you.

The best experience was meeting all the other teachers and kids. You'll meet the best people, get invited into the homes of your students, meet people who are doing cool things around Marrakech, like owning Riads and restaurants, etc. I'm really excited for you - you'll love it.