For a foreign country that is not known for its proficiency of the worldwide lingua franca (English), knowing your way around Morocco would be difficult. Fortunately, here are some of the local terms in Morocco's addresses you need to know just to help you get around places.
Medina
Sounding like a sacred birthplace of Islam's prophet, 'medina' is used as a common noun describing a particular place. In Moroccan terminology, 'medina' means 'urban center' or 'downtown.' But unlike the urban centers in Western countries, 'medinas' are rather teeming with pedestrians and only navigable on foot.
Kasbah
A kasbah is pretty much an older and more traditional version of a 'medina.' Essentially, a 'kasbah' is a district or community within a walled town. Think of it as a heritage quarter found in almost every key municipality in Morocco.
Souk
In every 'medina' or 'kasbah,' there are always one or two 'souks.' In Moroccan terminology, 'souk' literally translates as 'market.' A particular address that bears this label after a number means the place is located on a market square.
Derb
One of the most prevalent local terms in Morocco's addresses is the word 'derb.' In many traditional Arabic civilizations, a 'derb' literally means 'a quarter of the city.' Any establishment that begins with this address is located within an urban area inaccessible within any main pedestrian infrastructure.
Rue
As one of the former French colonies in the Saharan region, Moroccan's call their roads or streets 'rue.' Any place bearing this address is easily accessible by vehicle (and probably high-end). Anyone who can speak fluent French has no problem getting their way around Morocco.
Riad
Considering that most cities in Morocco are constructed in a traditional labyrinth-like Moorish layout, one can rarely find what most people would recognize as a park. Instead, they have 'riads.' These are courtyards within a 'derb' enclosed within a hotel or restaurant building complex.
Hammam
One can eventually find these resplendent spas and public baths within the 'derb' or the 'souk.' You don't just wash your body; a staff would also scrub and massage your skin. Some luxurious types of 'hammam' that offer relative privacy is found in hotels.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
