Meknès, also known as the "Versailles of Morocco", provides visitors and residents intimate views of the unique blend of Islamic and European influences. While Meknès holds a large population (450,000), the city has a rather small feel to it, and still remains easy to navigate by foot. Unlike other Moroccan cities such as Marrakech, Casablanca, Fes, and Rabat, Meknès sees very few tourists, providing study abroad students a better opportunity to interact with locals and experience a true Moroccan lifestyle. Located in the rich plains below the Middle Atlas Mountains, any culinary experience in Meknès will be crafted from the most fresh of ingredients. As a result of this agricultural abundance, the grains, olives, wines, and citrus fruit native to this region remain the economic stronghold for Meknès.Make sure not to miss:
-The medina and old mellah (old Jewish quarter)
-The Dar Jamaï Museum, a palace built in 1882 for the Jamaï family
-The mausoleum of Moulay Ismail
-The Heri es-Souani and Agdal Basin, the immense and ingeniously designed granaries of Moulay Ismail
-The Berber carpet shops and colorful souqs of the medina
-The Place el-Hedim-Bab el-Mansour and Bab Berdaine, two of many impressive gates entering into the medina, and once imperial citySsalamū ‘lekum - Hello (lit: ‘peace upon you’)
Bessalama / m’a ssalama - Goodbye (lit: ‘with peace’)
Shukran (bezzref) - Thank you (very much)
La shukran ‘la wezhb - You’re welcome
Wakha - Yes, ok
La - No
Labas / kīf halek? - How are you?
Wash kat’ref (neglīzīya)? - Do you speak English?
Mafhemtsh - I don’t understand
Asmītek? - What’s your name?
Smītī… - My name is…
Ana/hna men ‘amrīka - I’m/We’re from America
Fin kein…? - Where is (the)…?
Kīfesh ghādīnuwsul l…? - How do I get to…?
Mhetta - station
Lagār - train station
Shī bānka - bank
Lkūmīsarīya - police station
Zhamī’a - university
Lbīt lma - toliet
Zhmel - camel
Werqa - ticket
Līser/līmen - left/right
Bshhal? - How much?
Shal fessa’a? - What time is it?
Fūqash / īmta? - When?