gamefood: Yeah the maps... I started M&M1 recently the first time ever and to draw maps or switch to the cluebook ones could really kill the game to me.
There are many maps available online if you don't want to make them yourself... most are already annotated unlike the maps in the cluebook. But, in my opinion, exploration and mapping is a big part of the appeal of MM1. Still, if it really bothers you then maybe some of the online maps will help you enjoy the game.
gamefood: Is it normal that you see no traders/innkeepers in the stores/inns and statues?
Yes. MM1 barely has any graphics at all (after all, it was released back in 1986!). So special encounters like shopkeepers and statues are done entirely via text. MM2 has improved graphics compared to MM1 and sometimes has graphics for special encounters like these. MM3 and onwards have more graphics for everything (and I think they still look quite good).