Tribe.net. Local Connections Kamilia http://friendsofmorocco.tribe.net/thread/2cc8b097-c8bc-4989-927f-eae80f359a91#7d60e1b8-028f-4f44-8696-13557f25e6c5 2007-11-28T16:44:08Z 2007-11-28T16:44:08Z

I can't say anything about studying music. As for being a single woman in Morocco, I didn't think it was all that bad when I went there. Even if I ventured out by myself, the most heckling I got was a chorus of "Ca va?" from any man above the age of 5 and under the age of 70. I hear Casablanca is becoming more dangerous, and I know a foreign woman might attract a lot of attention in a more remote location, but overall, I think Morocco can handle foreigners and independent women : ) If anyone else's experience there was different , please let me know. I hear that some women put on a hijab when going there, or wearing a wedding ring: I think these measures are unnecessary. Morocco is not Afghanistan. If I go to a foreign country (wait...that's the whole world!), I dress conservatively (no tank tops, shorts, etc.) and learn the language. It's nice to be able to tell people "I'm not a whore, so don't treat me like one" when necessary ; ) And as in any country, make friends. Getting to know another woman or a family is a great way to build a network of people who can keep you out of trouble. Boyfriends help, too, but...that gets complicated. Here is something to put it into perspective: I went to Egypt a few months ago. Many women cover their faces with niqabs or wear burqas. Non-Muslims are persecuted every day. Even the police harass tourists. I dressed conservatively, but did not cover my hair. I practiced my Egyptian Arabic, and added choice phrases like "Your mother is bald" and "You were conceived on a crowded bus" to my vocabulary. I learned where an unaccompanied woman or a woman in Western clothes should not go. I learned how to report incidents of harassment to the higher ranks of police. I came back alive from Egypt, so I think you can come back alive from doing something exciting in Morocco : ) : ) Good luck!

Kamilia 2007-11-28T16:44:08Z Sirena http://friendsofmorocco.tribe.net/thread/2cc8b097-c8bc-4989-927f-eae80f359a91#58c8565c-c45d-4680-9064-d62ee871c213 2007-11-14T02:46:28Z 2007-11-14T02:46:28Z

Does anyone have connections for studying middle-eastern singing in Morocco? How valid & safe is it? I don´t know much about Morocco or being there itself, I know all the cautions of being a woman in a 3rd world apply, but I wasn´t sure if that was extra intense here, moreso than other places. Thanks :)

Sirena 2007-11-14T02:46:28Z