General Fun Having

Anna enjoying the balloon I bought her

I wondered before coming here how young people are able to act under Islamic law when it comes to "having a good time" by American standards.  Could they go to clubs?  Could they dance?  Could they walk around together without shaming the family?  Could they date?  In making my new Moroccan friends, as I proclaimed I would in an earlier post about male harassment, I have experienced more in terms of Moroccan youth lifestyles.  The group who I have become friends with are basically the equivalent to hipsters in the states, but it is projected ever so differently.  At home we would consider them hippies, mainly because of the dreadlocks.

Soufiane helping Anna get the right balloon

Yes, they go to clubs.  The club I frequent most often, (and by that I mean the band recognizes me already), is called Yacout and it is an African dance club.  There is a live house band every night and on Fridays it is nearly impossible to walk through the club.  This is the one location where I see girls in tank tops and short skirts, though I didn't come close to wearing a tank top until my fourth time.  The music is everything from popular Algerian hits to Shakira to salsa to Shaggy and Bob Marley.  This is really the place to get your groove on, and you can bet that on Friday nights I am right at the front of the dance floor.

Soufiane watching Anna be a nut about her balloon

As far as outside of the clubs, (and I should probably say that this is the only location that I feel comfortable letting loose in yet), there are different standards.  It is assumed that men and women walking together are friends unless they have their arms linked.  Aside from a few married couples I have seen no more PDA than that.  It is also evident that dating here means having coffee, going for walks, and sitting in parks.  No more than that.  After what my eyes have unhappily witnessed in the states I think this modesty is beautiful.  Needless to say I am appreciating having Moroccan male friends for the safety they give me in walking down the streets and I also enjoy having the ability to really witness what is going on around me now that I don't have to keep my eyes glued to the pavement while exploring the city.