NUMANA (part VI): Dance like no one is watching (a dance hall primer for young Americans)

IN THE LITTLE MERMAID, the protagonist Ariel trades her voice for a chance to have legs and go ashore. To justify this trade, the evil witch – Ursula - convinces Ariel that she doesn’t need her voice because, “You have your looks, your pretty face, and don’t underestimate the importance of body language.”

I think of this scene when visiting a foreign country because although I have not lost my voice, it’s not of much use when I can’t speak the language. In order to overcome my lack of voice, I simply take Ursula’s advice and use body language.

Going dancing is an automatic icebreaker.

As far as I’m concerned nothing helps overcome the language barrier better than a little Shakira.

Babaloo is said to be a hotspot not far from Camerano for young adults and Wednesday nights are free for the ladies. Another club that’s right on the beach in Numana is Cavalluccio di Mare. It has a Tropical theme with grass-roofed huts sprinkled around the dance floor.

Dancing is a way to get a glimpse into the culture. You can observe the way men approach women in social situations.

Even at a less touristy nightclub the drinks can cost six or seven U.S. dollars. The locals don’t seem to mind buying them for girls occasionally and maybe this has to do with how much they drink.

Europeans are more of a social drinking community. They don't usually drink to get drunk - which is often the case with American college students.

Another standard with Italian nightlife is that going to the club usually means you don’t go until midnight and you don’t leave for home until five in the morning.

- Caitlyn Slivinski

EDITOR'S NOTE: Today's headline is stolen from one of the greatest baseball players of all time, Satchel Paige. Here is his full quote: “Work like you don’t need the money, love like you’ve never been hurt and dance like no one is watching.”

Pure genius.