'I was bombarded with marriage proposals during nightmare solo trip to tourist hotspot'

It should have been the holiday of a lifetime but a trip to Marrakesh in Morocco turned into an experience that was challenging and exhausting for one young woman.

Influencer Karolina Wachowicz, 35, who is originally from Poland, said she felt like a “neon sign” as she walked the streets of Morocco as a “blonde single woman” and couldn't even cross the road or sit alone without having to fend off unwanted attention from men.

The travel lover said she was motivated to visit Morocco by fellow travel influencer Katarzyna Lawrynowic, who regularly posts content about her time in Marrakesh. But she is warning other travellers to wear appropriate clothing and develop a thick skin in order to survive.

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“As a blonde, single European woman, you are not seen as just another traveller, you become the spectacle,” Karolina, who originally comes from Krakow in Poland, told What's The Jam. “Every glance, every comment, every offer of help is loaded with meaning you never asked for.

“Here, it’s not about seeing Morocco as a tourist, it is a daily lesson in holding your boundaries, keeping your nerve, and realising you have to rewrite the rules for every block, market, or bus stop.

“In Marrakesh, the onslaught is sharp and constant. Men make comments out loud, sometimes in French, sometimes in Arabic, as you walk by. At first, you think the compliments are harmless, maybe even flattering, but they don’t let up, and you realise their persistence is never just about curiosity."

And she said refusing politely is rarely respected because men often push for your name, your plans and your relationship status. Sometimes, a casual ‘I have a boyfriend’ is the only answer that truly stops them. Yet the moment you let your guard down, or even just smile out of nervousness, it can be read as a signal to try harder.

“In cafes and markets, you quickly learn to focus your gaze, answer monosyllabically and keep walking. Men bombarded me with questions and compliments, even sudden proposals!”

Karolina said the attention became even more intense when she left the city and travelled to small towns and rural villages. The 35-year-old said, “The attention is sometimes suffocating. Simple acts, like sitting in a café or shopping for groceries, become events.

“I couldn't cross the street without at least one person asking for a photo or money.

“Marriage proposals were, of course, also common. Here, any visible skin or uncovered hair is read as a statement, no matter how modestly you think you are dressed. Suddenly, you realise that even a light summer dress and exposed shoulders can make you the focal point for requests, proposals, or relentless questions.”

But despite the challenges, Karolina said it’s possible to enjoy time in Morocco “if you understand just how different the social codes are”.

She added: “Morocco can challenge and exhaust you, but it will also teach you resilience, flexibility, and the importance of cross-cultural kindness, if you’re willing to look beneath the sometimes exasperating surface. The key to survival is a blend of thick skin, improvisation, humour, patience, and cultural sensitivity.”

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