Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Bellydance Barbie Attacks!


Bellydance barbie is taking Morocco by storm one dance at a time and yesterday was my first dance class that I attended. I actually enrolled in that bellydance class which is about 3 minutes away from my apartment. They offer bellydance 5 times a week: Tuesday and Thursday from 10-11 and 6:30-7:30 and Saturday at 4:30-5:30. I paid 150 dh (which is like less than $20) for the whole month and I can go three times a week! I attended yesterday from 10-11. To get to class, I have to walk down the street and turn on a, as I like to call it, "a dark alley" (there are seriously no businesses down this alley, just random doors and no signs). The class is with locals (oh, I'm mingling with the locals) and is in French (oh, and using my French...somewhat). I will not be able to go this Thursday because I have Arabic at 11 and an ISA meeting at 7:00 and this Saturday we are going on an excursion. The dance class was not exactly what I was looking for. I'm looking for technique and being able to advance more. Even though this dance class isn't going to advance me in bellydance, I realized that it will advance me in other areas. I say that because it's a reminder to me that bellydance isn't always about technique, perfection, and performance but instead it is really about a dance of expression. An expression of being a woman and enjoying her body for who she is deep down inside. Bellydance has had a bad view in society because it was related to the harem age when women had to entertain men by dancing sensually. There are women all shapes and sizes enjoying the wonders of their body, being themselves on the dance floor and not worrying about what others think of them. Beautiful!

So whether I like it or not, I did come here for school. I have Arabic four times a week for three hours, French once a week for three hours, Derija once a week for the next four weeks for three hours, Islamic Society and Politics once a week for three hours, and Exploration of Moroccan History and Culture once a week for three hours. I love all my classes that I have, and yes even the French one (I'm not really good at French but someday, hopefully I will figure it out). My professors are really interesting. My Arabic teacher has limited amount of English so if he doesn't know the word in English he will say it in French, my french professor is a Berber (and can speak the language!!), and my Islmaic society and politics and Moroccan history and culture classes are taught by the same professor and he has a wealth of knowledge of Morocco!

3 comments:

  1. Thanks Heather. You are in my thoughts.

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  2. You are SO smart!!! You go girl!! :)

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  3. That's one of the things I brought home from Egypt: this is a dance for real women, not only hot young scanty things. Everyone, from grandma down to little tiny girls, dances. And it's beautiful!! I wish I were there, reading your blog is bringing it back! Have a great time. :D

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