Photos From London

While I was in London teaching and performing, I was lucky enough to have there a fabulous photographer, Maani to record some of it.

If you are in London and need professional dance shots taken- I REALLY recommend him! He was friendly, fun and unobtrusive! The photos speak from themselves. http://www.maaniphoto.com/

Paperwork and Performance.

Yesterday i performing on 3 sails. The 1st one was a entire group from Britain, all over 60. They were on a month long cruise- it sounded amazing. What a sweet audience too.
The next show I had fun with the various kids ( some Egyptian, some foreign) and in particular I completely changed my drum solo. I warned the tabla player to stick with me because i was going to do new things... and he did. He was a star. I really enjoyed it too. Afterwards, the musicans wanted to know where the new ideas had come from- who I had seen doing these things... They just couldn't believe I had made it up myself, They were sure I'd taken someones idea from the festival or something! I think that is a good sign.... I think....hmmmm
Last sail was mainly arabs... and they took a long time to warm up... but eventually just as I was finishing the show they came to life... I dream of a venue where I can do an entire show 45min-1hr, instead of being limited by the boats sailing schedule to 2xsets of 15mins each!

Today I had to go to the Mogamma. Even though I am legally allowed to work here in Cairo, each time I leave the country my papers have to be renewed, and they take my passport away from me for the duration of my stay each time. For some reason, when they give me back my passport it doesn't say I have been here legally all this time- so each time I go tot the airport at the end of my trip i have to go off to the police office and pay a fine. It actaully works out as the smae price, but is so embarrassing at the airport- so today I went to extend the tourist visa before they take my passport away!!!!

As I left the Mogamma ( the government offices) I saw 7 Phillipeno ladies walking in... nothing unusal, except that they were all handcuffed together and escorted by numerous police. I guess thats what happens if you outstay your welcome??????? Felt for them.

Back from the Beach....

Ah... that was nice.

3 days of sunshine and lying about doing very little, chatting, eating, partying, making new friends and laughing a lot.

Stayed in a 'camp' this time.... called the Green Valley Hotel. It was cheap (only 40le for a single room) and very central- right on the beach. It was basic and the palm trees were annoying because the brushed against the ceilings at night and woke you up.... but other than that- fabulous view of both the sea and the mountains.... what more could you ask for at that price really?

As for partying- there is only 2 places really at night time. Tuta has closed down (for sale) so that only leaves Rush and Tree. We went to Rush on the friday and they had conga player accompanying the house music, and then a fire dancer too. Tree on saturday was much quieter- but the music was more to my taste ( mostly r&b/ hip hop) so we kept the dancefloor busy all night! A lot of fun. Amazing watching the sharks circling and gathering though!!!

The bus journey is the worst part of a weekend in Dahab... 9.5 hours on a bus. The way there was ok- they ran 2 arabic films and that was great for me- trying to pick out the words i actually understood! The way back we all tried to sleep, but it was cold on the bus. I really feel for unsuspecting tourists who get off the bus in Cairo though. The taxi drivers are waiting to pounce on you the second you get off the bus and they charge huge prices... the tourist police who stand by the entrance to the station not much better- persuading you that these prices are fair, when they are not (esp at 6 am when there is no traffic at all on the road anyway!!!) Would not like to have been in that situation without any arabic or without our Egyptian friend to help us through!!!

We'll see what my work rota has in store for me this summer- but hopefully it'll involve a few long weekends here and there- occasional time out, in the sunshine, is just what a girl needs to cope with the day to day pressures of life in Cairo!!!

back to work now- 3 sails today. looking fwd to it.

now THATS more like it!

ok- Last night I was paid a compliment that really felt like a compliment!

The tannoura, Sayed Amar, who was performing last night in between my sets said to me (translated) that he was ' always very happy when I was working with him because i put the audience in a good mood' he said 'sometimes with other dancers its as though the audience is all asleep and he has the job to wake them up, but after they have seen me they are all happy and ready to party!'

how sweet was that? The way he said it- I really felt appreciated .... Nice. Especially nice when its from your work colleague who sees dancing every day for however many years he's been doing his turn ( excuse the pun!!! :-) )

Off to Dahab in a happy mood.... soak up some sun and looking forward to performing back on the Nile again on monday night!

( ps- in case some people reading this don't know- Tannoura is the Egyptian name for a 'Whirling Dervish' )

It's all in the eye of the beholder!

What can I say- the perfect example of a major difference between UK and Egypt......

on meeting today a very good Egyptian friend ( female) her opening words were (translated);

'oh Lorna, you got fat.. you look very sweet- like a baby with a round fat face'


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


well.......... I know she meant nothing but good... but can you imagine how I felt????

Balcony blogging

Thanks to a wonderful friend , Dave, my wireless internet is no working again- so I am blogging from the sunshine on my balcony!!!

I had a group of dancers from Australia come to see my show last night. Performing for dancers always adds that bit extra pressure- but also a huge extra dollop of fun... they were lovely and joined me on the dancefloor too.

My performance dates over next 2 weeks in April are;

Nile Pharoah-sat 25th, sun 26th, mon 27th and tues 28th
Golden Pharoah- wed 15th, mon 20th, wed 29th and thurs 30th.


Hoping to get away to the beach this weekend.... so excited at the prospect!

One of the things I have missed about UK so far- people telling you the truth rather than what they think you want to hear. I went to a shop, they said I'd be seen within a few minutes, then they changed it to half and hour, then it was actually one hour 10 mins later I was seen. If they had told me from the start it would be an hour I could have made use of the time to eat lunch or something... grrr.

However- then other things happen too... good things. Like when I went to the shop to get some passport photos and because i wasn't able to collect til the next day it turned out cheaper and then, when I went to collect them, they had made 3 full size prints for me too- just as a present. These nice surprises seldom happen in UK!!!

ups and downs. thankfully more ups than downs at the moment!

Best of both worlds! Nile group opening Gala

Yesterdays blog I mentioned that I was sad to be missing the opening of the Nile group festival... well... fortunatly for me- work finished by 12pm... so i was able to make it along to the opening from then til 3am!!!

I arrived too late to catch Nancy. Seemingly she did some lovely tableaux of saaidi and melaya etc and had fantastic backing dancers with her and stunning costumes. I missed it all.

I also unfortunalty missed the majority of Asmahan's show... caught the end though... a saaidi number with lilac galabeya then an entrance with wings wearing a red and silver galabeya with the wings attached to the back of the outfit which ripped open at the front to show a tiny mini skirt bedla in bright blue for the drum solo. I dont know how her neck can take all that hair flinging... it makes my neck ache to watch!!!

Next up there was the Hassan Hassan folklorique show, who normally perform in the Ramsis Hilton, and are great fun. The show has lots of humour and skill in it and is well worth a visit to the ramsis hilton to see it if you are in Cairo! Saaidi to die for... and performance skills that outrun all others.

Then there was the famous saaidi singer, Hegazy Metkal. He had a huge entourage with him and they got everyone up dancing. Fabulous. The way music should be... so powerful you can feel it not just hear it! I managed to get a wee dance with Asmahan- she is so generous with her energy and praise... A star who makes others feel good- the way it should be!

Leila brought the evening to a close with her show. In costumes by Aida Nour she danced 3 sets. Although I love the backing dancers, it was a nice change to see an entire show that didn't have any. My favourite piece she did was a cheeky number were she took the mic and sang bits of it! The 'teachers table' loved her even more for that and were jumping about and cheering. Fun entertainment watching her and them!!!

so............ not bad eh- when i thought I was going to miss the night altogether. So performing on the golden pharoah... 2 shows... with my band.... and then watching all this fantastic entertainment, surrounded by friends and fellow dancers. My life here really does have the best of both worlds!!!

Good to be back

The sun is shining.

It's up to 35 deg during the way but doesn't go below 20 at night.

It really is the way to live!!!!!!!!


Work is great too. I have worked each night since I got back ( and will be performing on the Nile Pharoah tonight 13th, tues 14th and wed 15th this week too).

I knew when I was in UK that I was missing my band... but oh my god... it SOOOOO good to be dancing to live music again. I feel alive! All the staff were really lovely too, all saying how much they missed me etc etc. all good. I had people complimenting my dance that hadn't before too- I think maybe because I put some of the 'vintage' technique that I was teaching in the Joy festival... it reminds people of the great golden days of the dance!

Only down side of working is that I'll miss the opening gala of the Nile group festival which is today... ah well- to be honest- I'd rather be doing that watching anyway!!!!!!!

Off to costume shop now.... happy.

JoY was a joy!

I have just come back from the Jewel of Yorkshire Bellydance festival in a lovely wee place called Saltaire near Leeds.

It was Fabulous. What a lovely , friendly, relaxed but still ultra-professional weekender.

I taught 4 workshops ( all of which had been sold out for ages.... very flattering!) and they went very well. My favourite was my 'Performance Punch' one- where we basically explored the physicology of performance and how to get your head round it. Bringing out the best in what people already had!
I loved teaching again, I learn so much from it- especially my 'golden oldies revisited and revived' where I was looking at the dance styes of the old greats such as samia and soheir and fifi etc etc and compared the technique and style with todays modern style. Modern versus vintage we called it. It was an interesting experience for me to really study the technique from these old greats- usually when I look at their films I just soak in the feeling... but I feel I have learned a lot just comparing now to then technically too.

The performance night at the fesitval was awesome....

what can I say... Lulu from Brazil blew everyone away- it was hard to even breath while she was dancing! Khaled was fun and technically fantastic as always. Fereshteh really impressed me with a very relaxed fun stick dance. I saw my teacher Sara Farouk perform for the 1st time ever... emotions ouzing out of her. Bollywood/ Bhangra ( not sure of the defination of each) by a dancer from switzerland was totally engaging and entertaining. A fun reggaton/belly fusion by the leeds girls had me desperate to join in. Oh- just too much good stuff to mention really............ inspirational.

Joy is held every April and October... a weekend WELL worth the trip in you can be in the UK at those times ( wish I could every year!)

Only a few more days now before I head back to Cairo. It's going to be hard to leave here. As always.

Still Alive!

wow- 19 days without a blog entry- that MUST be a record for me! Sorry guys... Yes I am still alive and dancing!

It's been quite a month. London workshops went really well- we had a lot of fun and I recieved a lot of really positive feedback ( including a lovely review written by Nikki which should be out in Mosaic magazine soon- was very chuffed with what she wrote about my teaching!!!). The performances in London at the Saqarah Hafla were fab too. some really stunning dancers ( I esp liked a girl from Equador called Damiana- she had me glued to the spot with her drum solo!) Charlotte did a beautiful, graceful 'ana fintizarack' too. Good news about London is that they all want me back!!! so watch this space for info on workshops and performance in London in September 09 !!!

The weekend after that I was in Edinburgh teaching at the Edinburgh University. Wow- amazing memories. It was like stepping back in time. I was teaching in the very same room I taught my 1st bellydance class ever ever, way back 11 years ago!!!!!!!!!!! It was interesting because the girls who now run the 'African and Arabic Dance society' there didn't know the societies history... How I set it up with Kate, and Emily etc etc all those years ago. Emily is now one of the very top dancers in London and a master in Iraqi dance especially! How life moves on!

I came over all emotional when I saw everyone arrive especially for that 1st workshop in Edinburgh- so many people I had taught over the years , and a few new ones, all coming together- I felt like we should be opening a bottle of wine and celebrating the reunion rather than dancing- but of course they were having none of that!!!!

We danced our socks off- literally... and that was possibly the fastest 2 hours of my entire life! Forgive the Jean Brodie moment here.....- So proud of how far 'my gals' have come!!

Oh and I have had some photo shoots while home too.... posing around in my new lovely costumes ( which I wore at the London halfa).... Hopefully some shots to add here asap!

And then- as if that wasn't enough- i was in both Birmingham and Manchester this past weekend...

Birmingham workshop went really well too- a lot of fun... A lot of the local teachers attended too which was wonderful, and so lovely to see so many girls, who are becoming good friends, returning time after time.

However, I have discovered over the years that sometimes teachers do not advertise workshops to their students, because they want to go along and learn new things to teach on to their own students... however, if their students are in the class then they can't teach the new moves on.... a crying shame for the workshop teacher- at the same time as being a sort of a huge compliment somehow! So- my solution is that next time I am back in Birminham, maybe I will do a teachers only workshop.... plus a general level workshop too.... Hmm.... we'll see!!!

It's nearly a 2 hour drive from Birmingham to Manchester... but 4 of us decided it was worth it on sunday night when we drove to the Iguana bar to watch the Nile band perform.

The last time I went there it had a large bellydance following... this time was mainly arabs... and a different vibe. A lot of fun ( although too much Khaleegy for my liking!!!) and interesting seeing everyone getting up on the dance floor to do their bit. I enjoyed people coming up to me and speaking with me in Arabic alatool..( straight away)... it felt lovely to be welcomed so instantly into the community. I danced a little too... I just cant resist with live music! At the end of the night I was chatting with the band and venue manager and it looks like there will be an actual Lorna performance in Manchester during Ramadan, if we can get it organised! yet another 'watch this space' instruction!

There are photos of all these events.... but none of my own camera- so I have to wait to receive them in order to poast them!

So what next....

well, this weekend I am in Yorkshire , and the JoY festival.... looking forward to that and especially to meeting a lot of the other UK teachers....

and then, 10th April, back to Cairo............. back to my band and dancing on the Nile. I've really missed it. As wonderful as it it dancing here in UK and teaching and meeting so many lovely women who also love this dance as much as me... the Cairo pull is still there.... The force is too great- I cant resist!

The friends and family here in Uk will, as always be incrediably difficult to leave behind. I love that my life is in 2 cities, I know double the people and feel at home in both countries now.... but it also means that I am never fully in either, that there is always a bit of my life missing wherever I are. Strange.

Off to London... and EXTRA Edinburgh workshop! Birmingham info too.

I'm so excited...

about to head off to London to teach and perform there... and most of the workshops and performances are sold out (still some places on the sunday workshop I believe in case anyone else fancies a dance this sunday??? http://www.saqarah.co.uk/ ) Oh- and I am planning to bring a few costumes for sale too!!! Planning to wear my 2 new Eman Zaki Costumes... very excited about that!


Also I'm excited cos the demand for my Edinburgh workshops have been so high that I have had to put on ANOTHER workshop to avoid disappointment!


Lorna Madness!
4.45-6.45pm
Sat 21st March

Additional Cairo Groove workshop!!!
This is only 2 hours instead of 2.5 hours.... so we’ll be condensing much of the information into the time from earlier workshop... but adding ( if that’s possible!) to the fun! Not suitable if you have already booked to come on the 1.30-4pm workshop as we'll be doing moves and ideas condensed from the Cairo groove workshop earlier on saturday ( which is sold out!)- unless you want to repeat everything of course.
Lets dance and have fun Cairo style!!

Highland room, The pleasance, Edinburgh university.
£20 ( £17.50 for AADS members)
General level (Improvers-Advanced.... ie you must have already mastered the basics!!)
Booking forms from bellylorna@hotmail.com


so.......... if you are in Edinburgh that weekend and interested in either the sunday 22nd march (musical interpretation- 12.30-3pm) , or the new sat 21st march 4.45-6.45pm) please email me asap for a booking form!

Birmingham workshops shaping up well too....
Saturday 28th March...
3-5pm.
Cairo Groove- Moves straight from the heart!
General level.
Fitness Firts, Lode Lane, Solihull, Birmingham. £20.
For more info and to Book contact sughrasultan@msn.com or lisamckain@hotmail.com .

It's all go! Fun- and I have so many observations about Cairo to make since coming back to UK. Things that I have taken for granted in Cairo, thinking they are normal... but then on return to UK finding actually... its very different and worth note... but these things need time ... something I haven't got at the moment- so you'll have to wait for those!!!

The only thing I am dreading about this weekend- is music- I HATE dancing to CD now... I am totally spoiled by having my own band. Even just down to practicalities never mind quality- having to decide in advance what I am going to dance to rather than check the vibe on stage on the night and putting my my request to the band then and there!!!

Better go choose some music I guess..................................

busy busy

Life in Edinburgh is different from life in Cairo for me- but at the moment not so very different.
I am making an effort to get out to party every night!!!! Life is tough i know - but someone has to do it! Off to Medina tonight- they play salsa music early in the evening- and then arabic and african later on... sounds like a perfect night to me!!!

I am very happy at the uptake for my workshop in edinburgh on sat 21st march- so far 18 people have requested booking forms and there are only 20 places!!! There are more spaces still available though for the sunday workshop.............. but guessing those might go soon too! all good.

Missing the sunshine of Cairo... here it is stunningly sunny- but freezing cold at the same time- no sitting on any balcony for me until I go back to Cairo in April!

Edinburgh workshops!

I know many of you have been asking me about this.... so the special announcment today is that, the Edinburgh University african and arabic dance society is hosting me to do workshops here in my home town- THIS MONTH!

The workshops MUST be booked in advance... and you can get a booking form by emialing me direct! bellylorna@hotmail.com

Sat 21st March
1.30-4pm

Cairo Groove
latest steps, ideas, stories from Cairo's bellydance scene.... dance like an Egyptian.

General level ( Improvers-Advanced.... ie not beginners!)
Highland room, The Pleasance, Edinburgh
£25 (£22 for AAD society members)
numbers limited- book in advance!


Sun 22nd March
12.30-3.00pm

Musical Interpretation
take your dance to a whole new level- how to bring the music to life with your dance!

Intermediate/ advanced level
Highland room, The Pleasance, Edinburgh
£25 (£22 for AAD society members)
numbers limited- book in advance!


Looking forward to seeing you there!

Lorna's Spring 2009 UK Tour!

I'm Edinburgh based for the next month... I'll be doing private classes too.
Workshops dates over the next month are as follows………..

London.
March 14th / 15th.
I am so excited! My 1st time teaching in London (other than at salsa events!) and my 2 workshops on the sat 14th have SOLD OUT !
so......since there is demand we just have to try and meet it and we have decided to put on an EXTRA workshop on the sunday!!!!!
They did a lovely utube entry for me to promote these workhsops so people could see what they'd be getting! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGjVSN2CJCw )
I am also performing on the saturday night... really looking forward to it, sounds like a fun night.
check out the webiste for more info and to book a place. http://www.saqarah.co.uk

Edinburgh.
March 21st / 22nd.
ALL info still to be confirmed… but somehow, somewhere, I intend to be teaching in my hometown this weekend!! Hope you can be there too!

Birmingham.
March 28th / 29th.
Back in Brum to see all my friends there again. workshop info TBC.

JoY festival. Yorkshire
April 4th / 5th.
1st time for me to teach at this popular dance festival. Really looking forward to it too. I'm doing 4 workshops over the weekend.( http://www.jewelofyorkshire.co.uk/view-teacher/?teacherid=1 )
for full festival info and to book your place check out their website http://www.jewelofyorkshire.co.uk



If I am not teaching in your area this time round…. And you don’t plan on being in Cairo over this summer, and you fancy hosting workshops in your area this year-
then I am back in UK throughout Ramadan this year ( ie end August until mid Sept) !!!!

Grey UK !!

What can I say- I've been a lazy blogger!! It’s been a non-stop couple of months!

First of all- Thank you for all the emails and texts etc concerned for my safety after Sundays horrific bombing in Cairo. I spoke with my friend at the Hussein Hotel and thankfully no one there was injured either… although seemingly some of the windows of the hotel were shattered in the blast. Some people have been writing to ask me if it is still safe to come to Cairo on holiday- what can I say? It’s as safe as anywhere in the world right now… It’s as safe as travelling on the London underground. We can only pray that these idiots who think killing innocent people is actually going to achieve anything positive in this world see sense as soon as possible and STOP.

Constant house guests have partaking of the charms of the 'fundoq el fananeen' ( artistes hotel!!!) That is going really well with people now booked in from all over the world to stay with me in my Cairo flat right up to November!!! I love having people around me- and its especially wonderful when they are fellow dancers. a friend came round to my flat on sunday to find me and 2 other dancers in my studio altering costumes, listening to music, showing each other moves and generally just being immersed in a wonderful, friendly, creative atmosphere. I love my life.

Work is always a bit slow at this time of year... not enough tourists coming to Cairo to have the two boats I work at (the Nile Pharaoh and the Golden Pharaoh) working to their max. In the peak of summer they can be running up to 5 cruises each!!!!! Just now, at this time of year, we are lucky if there are 4 cruises per day between the 2 boats. Not so great for us dancers.... especially since there are currently 5 of us working there (Lorna!, Joana, Outi, Leila and Hayem). However- the good side of this means that is it easier for me to be able to take some time off and come and see everyone in the UK!!!

So I am now in Edinburgh! Sorry- I did try and pack some sunshine into my suitcase- but it doesn't seem to have travelled well.........unfortunately.

I arrived last night, and am planning the majority of my time in UK to be family and friends based...In fact today is the birthday of my beautiful nephew, Sam. He is 3 today and getting a bike!

3 years.... That means that I have been living in Egypt now for just under 3 years (since I moved there only a few weeks after Sam was born). I find it so hard to believe the time has gone so quickly. Nearly 2 years working on the Pharaoh boats. Amazing! When I think about all the experiences I have had over that time;

· The numerous problems of that 1st year trying to get my work papers.

· Grappling with a new culture and language and climate. Oh the thousands of things that includes!

· Working as an employee, rather than self employed. A woman in a man’s world. Agnabi (a foreigner- and always will be treated as such).

· Working with my own band and live music. With the highs higher than imaginable but likewise the lows too!

· Dancing for audiences big and small from every country in the world. Presidents to tour groups. Princesses to prats.

· Learning the differences between what an Arab audiences will enjoy, compared to an Egyptian one, or a 'western' one.

· Learning to negotiate with people in all walks of life in Egyptian style, rather than the straight forward, cards on the table, British style!

· Dancing 'Egyptian' style rather than 'trying' to dance Egyptian style (only do-able I truly believe if you have spent a lot of time here... it goes so far beyond 'moves'!)

· Living alone- away from friends and family, away from all the things I had been used to in UK... learning more about myself and my values and what I really want from life.


actually- that list could go on and on... these are just a few things that jumped from my fingertips as I sit here.... looking at the grey sky and contemplating a walk along Portobello beach!

Dance stuff coming soon;

Cairo- info re fabulous teacher who I have been having lessons from recently and who has really helped me improve my dancing- details to follow!

Uk dancers- I have some dance events (workshops and performances) coming up soon! Blog entry with full details to follow!!!

In meantime- if any of the local dancers are interested in private classes- I am now in town- so email me!!!!

A day out in the desert

Well- why not?

I have lived in Egypt now for nearly 3 years and still feel I have seen soooo little of it.

My friends Nick, Marte, Sherif and I decided to explore a little so last sunday took us to Fayoum 'gateway of the Western desert'! I had been told, by another friend Sugrah, that the waterfalls there were well worth the trip. Its 170km south of Cairo and a fairly long drive, but with a car full of friends, and some music from my 'happy songs' playlist, the journey was part of the fun!! Especially with Boom Boom (a local caffine drink like red bull- essential for an early start since I dont drink coffee!)

The whole place was beautiful!

We went to the Wadi el-rayan and if we had thought to pack a picnic then we could have stayed for a whole day- actually probably overnight too (since they have a campsite!). The area is a prtoected area and the rock formations , sand dunes and fabulous lakes are to die for! A photographers dream come true, esp at sunset.

We took a small boat out onto water that was smooth like glass, we walked in river water that froze your feet like ice, we even climbed a cliff face that pushed our fear barriers!

We saw all sorts of birds including birds of prey (seemingly they have 169 species of bird in the area and they have a hide for those interested in spending more time watching them). There were snake tracks too (but thankfully no snakes- although the thought did add to the excitment while wading knee deep in the icy water!). Actually- interesting fact- marte and I were much more able to walk barefoot on the slippery rocks than either Nick or Sherif.... we put it down to our dancers training of balance, foot placement and of course- hard calloused feet!!!!! Oh- and the cameras tested our posing abilities too....

The silence was deafening, and the oxygen went to our heads.... fantastic to get away from wonderful, but, polluted Cairo.

like I said- if we had taken food with us, we would have stayed longer- as it was our stomachs called us away too soon............. so we didn't get to the Valley of the Whales (where they have discovered 40 million year old whale skelatons in the sands of the desert!!!!) or to the pyramids or the pottery sites the area is also known for.

Next time isa !!! (isa is shorthand for inshallah!!!)!
(more photos will be added as soon as I can get them downloaded!!!!)

utube - and theres more...

seems like each time I discover a new utube posting of myself dancing -someone points out more to me.... Thanks caroline for noting these...........

http://www.bellydanceforums.net/performance/7480-cruise-along-nile.html

There are links here to a couple more performances of me....
and also some links to some other dancers currently perofrming in Cairo-worth a look. The Rhanda ones are to die for ( yes- I am still a hopeless fan!!!!)

'wild' animals on the way to Alex

Yesterday I went for a day trip to Alexandria. On the way up the road my friend,Sherif, and I decided to stop on the road at 'Lion Village'.

It was the most bizarre restaurant I have ever been to. We didn't eat, but we walked around the grounds.

They have the strangest assortment of animals I have ever seen together in one place.

Lions, to chickens,

tigers to monkeys,

ducks to hyenas,

cats to tortoises,

turkeys to vultures,

dalmations to lamas,

'toy' dogs to reindeer.

I didn't ask- but I suspect that they breed the pedigree dogs in order to fund the keep of the other animals. I couldn't really workout otherwise why so many dogs of different breeds-and almost all with puppies.

All the animals looked healthy to me ( although I am no expert on the matter!) apart from a couple of the monkeys which were repetativly pacing their (very small) cages.

The big cats looked very healthy- but sad... and again, in really small cages.

The Lions were also in heat. I have never heard a sound in my life like the mating call of a lion- a roar which goes through your stomach like thunder!!!

They do a tourist 'circus' show with the lions for coach loads of tourists... and a group of koreans were there the day we were. We didn't watch the show though- so I couldn't tell you what went on.

The restaurant is reasonably priced- and worth a day trip out in its own right aswell as a fabulous way to break up the trip to Alex.

More utube

The girls who are organising workshops for me in London in March this year have put a promo video online for you all to see how i dance.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGjVSN2CJCw

while I was in utube I had a search for bellylorna- and there are a couple of other entires in there too (ironically filmed the same night!!!)

hope you enjoy.... I'm always so nervous about having video of me dancing.... never ever happy with what I see. Ah well- live and learn!!!

Cairo Circus

Today was another busy day filled with lots of wonderful Cairo moments...

Square burgers at Route 66 in Maadi for breakfast ( i know- burger for breakfast????) anyway.. then after a drive round the pottery area in fustat then I went to Manial, to the Nilometer. not much in there...

but its really old, with a very beautiful ceiling....

and Egyptians get charged a LOT less than tourists! The best thing there though was the peace and quiet. My friend and I sat by the Nile for about 2 hours- just soaking in the silent ( well- lack of 'dousha' anyway!!!) and watching the rubbish float by on the Nile... we saw some odd things. a perfect round of bread, an aubergine, a shoe... you can imagine I'm sure. The sun was shining and it felt nice to be chilling, but not chilly.

Next we went to the Cairo tower. I have NEVER been up this thing before... and always meant to... but its 65le for tourists and only 20le for Egyptians ( managed to get in as Egyptian so pretty chuffed!!!!). The view from up there was stunning... really. I wish we had got there maybe 10 min earlier so we could have fully seen the sunset... but it was still amazing....... highly recommend it.

Orangette in Zamalek is a cafe on Sharia Gabalaya and they do the BEST Oreo Madness dessert ever- its huge.... ice cream fans MUST try this one!!!

Then the big event for the day- the National Circus!



The circus is in a big tent ( no surprises there) on Sharia Nile, in Agouza (just beside the Balloon theatre). We had been told on the phone that the show was 8.30-10.30pm but that wasn't true- it started at 8pm.... and finished 10pm. Tickets ranged from 50le front seats to i think 20le for back. Front seats were worth it!!!

The whole tent smells unfortunatly of urine... assuming its the animals but.... well I wont dwell on that thought. However, the colours of the tent are fabulous- beautiful decor. Live band too througout entire show.

Dont know what we missed out on in 1st 20mins, but we saw clowns, jugglers, acrobats, rope gymnasts, cute dogs jumping hoops and skipping rope , knife thrower, trapise, everything really.... fantastic showmanship... I have seen a few dancers on stage both here in Cairo and abroad who could learn from these circus performers a few things about audience interaction and stagemanship. I think also that being on stage myself means I find it hard now to watch ANY type of show and not try to imagine what life must be like for the people on stage. Imagine being that girl in her hijabb standing in front of the board to have knives thrown around her - and seeing her eyes blink at every throw, and watching the silent prayer uttered through tight lips..... a huge new dimension to the show!



thre were even phtographers going round the crowd (mainly the arabs in the crowd...) with a VERY cute baby lion and a huge snake to wow the crowd and get some more money out of us!

and then there were the lions..........

wow.

beautiful animals. 6 lions and 3 tigers. in one huge cage with one man.... he handled them really well and they all looked well fed and fairly content.... not that I know a lot about these things ( but I had been very worried about that side of things after my trip to the zoo last year!!!). The speical moment in the entire show was one tiger- older and HUGE- did one jump from one podium to another... and I swear time stood still. It was like watching something out a kung fu movie where everything had been slowed down. This massive beast looked weightless in air... possibly the most beauitful thing I have ever seen... I could have watched just that over and over all night. I think that not only did my breathing stop during the second of the jump - but that my heart did too.... truely awesome- in the non american meaning of the word!

People who know me well, know that although I have nothing against animals, and quite like them really- I do not gush over them or even oh and ah much.... However, these huge cats were something else... and to watch this man risk his life in that cage with them and handle himself with such power and control was an experience in itself.

I loved the circus and will go again- inshallah!!!!

An Indian meal to round of a fabulous and interesting day.............

oh Cairo. Never, Ever, Ever boring!

Book Review, long overdue

I was reminded by a friend today that I used to write a lot in here about the books I have read. I haven't done that for a while... partly because I went though a phase of not being able to get my hands on anymore translated arabic novels, that I hadn't already read (I figured most people who read the blog are more interested in these) and partly because I got so carried away with life I forgot that some people really like to know these things!

I feel my blogging standards have gone downwards in direct correlation with the increase of houseguests.........!!! sorry guys..........

so....... my good friend Emily leant me a lovely book which I just finished this week.

A Border Passage
(from Cairo to America-A womans journey)
by Leila Ahmed
published by Penguin Books.

It was interesting on many levels.

firstly- written by an Egyptian woman ( and I meet so few Egyptian women that its hard to believe I actually live in the same country as them- so any insights as to our similarities and differences are always welcome!!!!)

secondly- Leila comes from an educated 'westernised' family and makes some very interesting observations on education and culture in both Egypt and UK, and especially about the way 'europe' as a culture was viewed at that time in Egypt.

thirdly- 'that time' being the years around the revolution.......... with lots of things emotionally , politically , financially culturally going on................

forthly- being interested in womens issues and rights, Leila is writing about all of this from the womans perspective- the discriptions of daily life at home with other women and their various interactions were what glued me to the book.

what can I say? Thanks Emily for lending it to me.......... and I recommend it to anyone interested in Egypt, Egyptian politics, and in what it means to be an Egyptian woman.

Club-hopping in Cairo!

Tonight was mad. I had planned a night in... working on all my many outstanding emails...
then i decided... no- I need to go out.

So I met a friend and we went to La Bodega in Zamalek ( a nice place for a drink and chat in a mixed expat and Egyptian crowd), then to Pub 28 ( which had an older more seditary crowd in it)

Then I called another friend to see if they were free and we went to Mojitos at the Nile Hilton.... That was pretty empty (and they have done a horrible thing- a temporary ceiling with ruffled satin lining- you feel like you are in a coffin!)... then we really began our tour of Cairo's nightspots.

Latex ( Nile Hilton) had a very empty R&B night (seemingly tuesday night is the best night for that!). Sat night ladies get in free- I could see why.

Ritmo in semi Ramis intercontinential looks posh and was also quiet ( granted it was 2am!)

The Buddah Bar at the Sofitel el Gezirah has to be seen.... they have a HUGE statue of a Buddah- right in front of a massive window onto the Nile- it is cultural clash but amazing well done. The restrooms in the hotel foyer are rather lovely too- with terracotta tile with matching colour of grouting (believe me- its worth noting!!!!). That hotel has a lovely terrace area just on the Nile side to sit and smoke sheesha and drink tea - although we were rather late to do either. A very romantic spot though.

Grand Hyatt hotel was next on our 'pub crawl' of Cairo. The Hard Rock Cafe was buzzing... but unfortunatly full of sleezy arabs - by the time we had taken 20 steps inside the place I felt like I had been mentally undressed by the same number of men. NOT nice. It was strange to see a place I consider to be a restaurant done up like a nightclub though... dance floor and DJ. We left sharpish though and went for a play in the lifts!

40th floor at the Hyatt makes your ears pop- really - its like take off in a plane. The revolving restaurant there shuts at 11pm... so we also missed the lounge area there with the water feacture walls.....next time.

Four seasons Hotel (garden city) was just accross the road... so we wandered over to see what they had on offer. They have one bar.. called Zaytouni (olive) , which looked like a hotel waiting lounge- actually all their restaurants do. ( spice, steak esp)- all fairly non excting. There was one restaurnat called Aquas which had beautfiul fish tanks with HUGE fish in them ( animal lovers dont go- i am sure those tanks are not large enough for the fish!!!)

So... we did then conside checking out the other four seaons ( in Giza) but decided it was a little late ( at 3.30m) to see if anyone was in club 35 or in Indigo bar..... so instead.... we went to a new a rather fabulous takeaway food shop in sharia mohiden abdul aziz, mohandiseen, called Abu Kofta. They had a shop in Port Said which proved so good and so popular that they are trying their hand at Cairo now- I believe they even have a website!
Then we sat in the car eating Hawoushi (meat inside bread that is then deep fried-as amazingly tasty as it is bad for you!)

so- all the 5 stars and then end up choosing to eat street food in the car!!!

It was a fabulous night. so much so, that I am just in at 4.20 am and felt I had to write all this down NOW before i forgot all the places we went!

Oh- and did I mention I had a house party on thursday which was so much fun that people would arrive, I'd greet them at the door, then i might see them again 3 hours later- and they had been in my living room the whole time!!! It was great- lots of Salsa, and at least 14 professional bellydancers- well- you can imagine can't you!!!!!

Life is very good just now. el Hamdullah !!!

Do's and Don'ts re Badly Behaved Belly!

What can I say? You have all been wonderful and helpful as ever….. I feel whenever I need an answer to anything at all, my blog readers are out there eager to support me! It seems like I am not the only dancer out there who suffers in this way!
Thank you all… I had so many responses that I have had to compile a list of do's and don'ts so I could make sense if it all………..



Do………….

pills with acidophilus
ginger root tea
licorice tea
massage stomach
one teaspoon of lemon juice in a cup of warm water
peppermint tea
mint tablets
colpermin
propolis -20 drops 3 times a day in water or with a spoonful of sugar
white syrup to protect stomach (Gaviscon?)


Foods to fill me up but not fill up my stomach……..

protein shakes instead of meals before dance
babybel
apple
muesli bars or a cracker.
nuts
raw veg and fruit
seeds
rice noodles


Don't……….

black tea
mint tea ( this one confuses me- lots of you say mint is good- to the point of taking tablets even, yet some say mint is bad???)
ham
tomatoes
fried food
chocolate ( the number 1 thing I live on!)
spicy food
meat
wheat/gluten- ie bread and pasta! ( the number 2 thing I live on!)


Anything I have missed out????

Or of course……………… I can just continue starving myself when i have work and then binging when I don’t have work…. Which is my current answer! Seemingly- according to 'Dina'- don’t eat at all for 6 hours before performing since the stomach can't move properly unless totally empty!

Badly Behaved Belly!

can anyone help me out?

I am sick and tired of my stomach. I just can't seem to eat ANYTHING at all within at least 4 hours of dancing (and even then it still has to be fairly light otherwise I still suffer) . When I say suffer- I mean really truely- i get lightheaded and dizzy, sweat uncontrollably and feel nauseous with severe stomach cramps thrown in. Not nice. I take anti-acids to work with me, but they don't seem to have a great deal of effect, unfortunatly!

now the ideal solution of course is to eat 5 or 6 hours before I dance... which is all well and good... but if I have 6 shows in a day... how can I eat healthily and early enough to last the entire day/night???!!!

so far i try to have my main meal as soon as I wake up.... then live on chocolate between shows to keep the energy levels high, although if I haven't managed to eat in the morning, for whatever reason, then i tend to have a heavy meal just before bed- which isn't ideal either. Small meals or snacks dont even work- even a sandwich or a glass of orange juice can have an adverse effect on me!

I guess what i am looking for is a miracle cure to stop my stomach reacting to the food in the 1st place!

I know lots of dancers who can eat anything at all before they dance and not be affected- its not fair!!! Its driving me crazy........!

last night I danced at 4.30pm, then again at 8pm and again at 10.30pm. doesn't leave much space in the day for food and digestion! However- I am pleased to say, that despite the pain I performed 2 of my best shows ever. Maybe of course it was because rather than despite of the pain- I always find I dance well when the adrenadline is high ( like if I am late, or have people in the audience I really want to impress!)

It was a good night.... just wish my belly would behave!

Any tips????

Happy New Year!!!

I am just about to begin recovering from the festive season...........

Scotland for Christmas was good..... cold... and everyone around me had a cold or flu... but other than that good! Unfortunatly the visit was so short I didn't really get round everyone I had hoped to see- next time!!!!!

Then I get back to Cairo and am boiling hot from the difference in weather from there to here... that lasted all of an hour and then i was back to my normal Cairo winter shiver!!! It was lovely to come back to my busy busy flat! currently 3 girls staying... 2 of them professional dancers and one 'hobby' dancer... makes for some interesting conversations over breakfast (around 5pm usually!!!) and over late night cups of tea ( around 5am usually!!!!). Busy but fun!!!

New year was strange for me.... I had expected to be performing on the boat... but they had altered the schedule so I ended up being free until midnight... and then had 2 gigs after that. I spent the bells, sitting in a car on gamet dowal street putting on my make up as we were driving to my 1st gig of the night!- oh and we had just passed Santa Claus getting out a taxi!!!!

Both of the performances unfortunatly with CD rather than with my band- which I really dont enjoy so much at all. The 1st was on a boat and the stage was tiny and wobbly and the majority of the people in the room couldn't see from where they were sitting. I managed to get the people close to the stage on side... handing me tissues etc etc and dancing in their seats... but overall , personally it was a disappointing show. Lots of people with money- but not much class!

The next venue, a 5 star hotel in the town centre, however was very swanky... lots of both money and class... and the audience (all egyptians) were amoung the nicest I have ever danced for in Cairo! They were just lovely- danced, sang along, clapped along... just generally behaved as an audience should!! Thank you all- you made my new year just perfect and reminded me why I have chosen the life I have!

I was on a total high by the time I finished at 2.30am.... so I went with a few friends to a house party. These people had hired a villa in the middle of nowhere for the night, and had a sound system to rival any nightclub in town... and the techno music was pumping... and everyone was drinking and smoking dope.... and there were all of about 10 people there. Needless to say, we didn't hang around!!!!!!! A drive to the top of the mountian, moqattam, to see the view of Cairo within these 1st few hours of the new year... and then home around 6am.

Last night was a friends birthday- so that was another night of partying from 9pm til 5 am! oh my life is just so horrible....dont you think??? !!!

So... now you can see what I have been up to so far this year- all thats left for me to say is HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone who might be reading this... I wish you happiness and perfect shimmys for the entirety of 2009..........

Saqqara

Yesterday I went to Saqqara with a couple of friends. I've been before, many times, when i used to organise groups of bellydancers to come over on dance holidays... but I haven't been for years. We had been hoping for sunshine- but for once- a cloudy day in Cairo- we don't get many- so these shots are pretty rare!!!

It was a bit too busy for my liking.( although I accept it doesn't look like it in this photo!!!) ..... but there were memorable moments. Like eating taamia and foul at the roadside and a bus of locals going by shouting out the equivalent of 'cheapskate!!!' - it was very funny! Then you have the guys inside the pyramid complex offering 'taxi' rides on their cadillac donkeys ( the Camel being the limo?).

We went over to the tombs that i have only been inside once before... I forgot how amazing they were......... a few fun pics............

No I haven't altered the direction- these funny wee men are actually doing back bends and high kicks....... whatever the dance was it looks hard work but fun!!!!!!!


This one took a while to work out........ a cow on its back with its feet tied....

But this guy with the big ears if my favourite.......................

yuck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have heard of disgusting taxi driver incidents but thankfully never really been the victim. Yesterday I was.

I had been in khan el khalili, and I got in a taxi to Mohandiseen. The driver waited til we were on the bridge out of that area then wanted to know 'how much'.

I said 20 - should be 15 if no traffic- so figured 20 was fair and good. he went nuts. wanted 35! i refused- said if he didn't like that then stop now and we'd get another taxi. He said had to drive us to end of bridge cos he couldn't drop us on bridge.. and then demanded money- on my refusal...i got out the taxi... still refusing to give him anything since he didn't want a fair price for the journey

...
so he spat in my face!!!!!!!!!!

i was so shocked and repulsed that I didn't think quickly enough to take his number.... furious.

what can I say? i hope his taxi breaks down everyday! yuck yuck yuck.

I love Cairo..... I do I do i do..... yes- I am trying to remind myself of the good things! ( Like fateer at 1am after a night of salsa, dancing for appreciative Egyptian audiences, sunshine in december.......) yes I do love Cairo.

It is worth it. I just wish I could have a day without stress- think that why Dahab was just the break I needed- you could get in a taxi and KNOW he wasn't going to hit on you or swear at you etc etc.

Started up my arabic lessons again....I have a private tutor who comes to the house and is very good and only charges 90le for 2 hours... I had managed to learn to read and write... then hadn't had a single lesson the entire time I have worked at the Pharoahs- so had completely forgotten even the alphabet! Thankfully its coming back , albeit slowly, and am enjoying learning now that i have more confidence to use my arabic more. My grammer is still appalling.... but wahda wahda (one by one- ie step by step!).

wish me luck (in the arabic and also in only getting in nice taxis from now on!!!!!)

St Catherines

It wasn't easy to get to St Catherines from Dahab. I thought it should be, as its only and hour and half away... One bus- leaves 8.30am ( too damn early!!!!), service taxi, ie micro bus leave 11pm at night ( too damn late) and the taxi from the hotel was going to cost 250le!!!!! NO way! In the end a friend managed to baragin a taxi price for me so i got there for 130le.

The taxi driver was a friendly fun guy... although wasnt' shy to tell me that he had his bango (grass) with him and did I want to see it? totally high. thankfully since there wasn't really any traffic on the road it wasnt' too dangerous! He also wasn't wearing a wedding ring and said he didn't have a wife etc etc ( and next day when i came back with my friend Sherif in the car too he had suddenly inherited a wife and ring!!!!!!)

The interesting and stressful part of the journey is all the numerous check points. They check the drivers license about 6 times between dahab and st cats, and they checked mine too. each time saying he couldn't go or shouldn't ( he didn't have a 'taxi' licence for outside of dahab town centre) but if he brought them a phone card or sandwich on the way back that would be ok. All corruption, in the form of call credit!

At st cats there is really nothing apart from the monastary and a couple of shops and a post office. I met sherif who had arrived an hour before on the bus from Cairo and we went to a campsite called the desert fox. the people there seemed really stoned- but very nice and helpful and they fed us and we talked into the wee small hours around a campfire in a bedouin tent. Mostly in arabic ( so that was really nice practise for me- although the bedouin accent is VERY differnt from Cairo!!) The range of conversation topics reflected the vibe of the place; it went from Mobarak ( who they think is close to God) to Van Damm ( something to do with a certain karate kick he can do....) to the great bear in the sky, to demons and devils. wow.

At 1am we left the heat of the fire- put extra layers on - and started our climb to the top of Mt Sinai ( also known as Moses mountain!). We had met a girl from Malasyia (Cindy) and she joined us for the climb. Its a pretty long way ( 2285m high!)- and I was sure my leg muscles were going to give me a lot of trouble, but we took our time and it was fabulous. in the full moonlight the white rock on parts of the cliffs looked like frost or snow... we didn't need our torches until the steps near the top and most of the time we were the only people in sight. Amazing. Almost bumped into camels in the dark! We took the 'camel' route... because although the other way is more direct, with its 3750 steps it was just not an option!!

At the top of Mt Sinai there is a chapel and a mosque. sorry the pic is fuzzy- camera was still on 'mountain' setting!!! Just as we stepped onto the summit the call to prayer started from the mosque ( a small square room with one man inside!) . It was spiritual and uplifting- except that there was a man trying to to rent us blankets (for 20le!!!) and he wouldn't give it a rest so he talked all the way through the prayer which really annoyed me!!! At that point though we were the only tourists on top. Sat night is a quiet night because the monestary is closed on a sunday... and people tend to visit that in the morning when they climb down the mountain... but if all you want to do is watch the sunrise in peace- i really recommend a sat night- esp if you have the full moon to help you find your feet!!!!

The sun took a long time to rise- but it was amazing. The desert mountian looked like a set from Mordor (lord of the rings) and then when the sun was coming up it turned into a Colin Baxter photograph! Very very cold ( but we refused to pay that for a blanket!!!!) but very very uplifting and beautiful!!! I took over 100 photos and then its was hard to choose which to include here because it all felt so amazing. Looking forward to Cindy sending us copies from her camera ( which was far better than mine)! We saw a bedouin waman walk her donkeys up the same path we had been puffing and panting over on the way up- she must be super fit to do that everyday!!!

wonderful , beautiful. I'd do it again! ( but not until my calf muscles have recovered!)

We took the taxi back to Dahab ( so another 130le) but discovered that the guy from the desert fox camp could have got us on a service taxi for 50le each at 11am ( but we didn't know this when we booked our taxi!!!)

Another day of chilling on the beach (- I know- I have a hard life!) then the 10pm bus back to Cairo ( got us in at 6am) Since I had had 4 hours sleep on friday night, then climbed a mountian instead of sleep on sat night, sunday night I slept the entire 8 hour bus journey!!!!!!!!!!

Back in Cairo... and off to Salsa tonight ( trying to loosen up those muscles before work again tomorrow!)

Dahab

for years I have been hearing people talk about Dahab with such huge enthusiasim, yet I always though it was a bit OTT. yeah yeah- its chilled, you relax there.... hmmm..


IT'S true!!!!!!!! I dont know why... but the whole vibe of the place is just complete relaxation. you get NO hassle in the street, the sun is warm, the mood is respect and chill- it was just exactly what i needed to escape Cairo to!

I was nervous about travelling alone in a bus- only because i haven't done that in Egypt before. It was totally fine. cheap ( 75le one way) 8 hours, smoke free bus, AC was too high so I had to wrap myself up... but fine.

The girls came to meet me at the bus station at Dahab and we jumped into a taxi to the hotel- well - actually- we jumped into the flat-back part of a pick up truck which is what they use for taxis!!!!!! What a bizarre way to start the trip!

The hotel was on the Blue hole road, and called Dahab Paradise. It is LOVELY. One of the best organised and well run hotels I have stayed in in Egypt. the view from the balconies and from poolside was pool, palm trees, sea and Saudi Arabia very clearly visable across the water!I felt for the class of hotel it was a very good price too (250le for a twin room, then 300le for a triple) Breakfast was eggs and potato and cheese and pancakes and and- oh I am hungry just now- can't think about all that again!

The only downside of the hotel was that there is a strong wind coming from the water to the poolside- so even when the sun was hot , it wasn't very warm for sunbathing.... can imagine though that in summer that fact would be a huge benefit rather than failure though!!!! We went down to the Blue Hole to find some sheltered sun bathing places. LOTS of divers there- but when i had the dive Blue hole described to me I reconfirmed in my head that I never want to dive! the graves plaques stuck on the walls there of people who have died in the water didn't exactly encourage me either!!!! friends the next day who snorkled said they saw huge barracuda circling them.... yet another reason to really appreciate sunbathing not being in the water!!!!!!

I loved Dahab. Fun people. Relaxed lounging, drink in hand. Dancing the night away. ah- I miss it already! I realised that I haven't had a holiday holiday ( that didn't involve doing workshops, for spending time with family etc) for well over 3 years- in fact probably longer since before that my holidays were always to Cairo from Scotland!!!! I hadn't actually realised how much I needed it. Considering its not so expensive either- I think dahab will be on my 'must do' list far more often!!! Ah- chilled!

taking a break......

3 hours from now I have to head out to the bus station to catch a bus to Dahab. I've never been there... and never travelled around Egypt on my own.. so should be exciting (lets face it- NOTHING in Egypt is boring!). I'm meeting up with girlfriends at the beach and looking fwd to some lovely days in the sun...... just packing now. Sleep will have to happen on the bus (8hour journey... but only 75le!)

I woke up this morning to the smell of blood... the cows are gone... but the gutters run deep with red floodwater. lovely. I am really glad to be getting out of town now- especially once the sun starts hitting those gutters... dread to think what they will smell like in a day or two!!

I enjoyed work tonight. 4 shows total. lots of Italians for some reason in the 1st sail... but almost all Arabs in the second... in very festive spirit!Lots of kids... so the atmosphere was light and fun... one boy ran to hide under the table when I tried to get him up to dance- was very funny!!!!People with brand new babies keep wanting me to hold them and have my photo taken with them.... its hard sometime to pull myself away and back to the dancing again at times!!

One guest on the boat tonight wanted to buy one of my saaidi costumes (the turquoise and gold one) - she said the money was no option- she just HAD to have it....but I couldnt bring myself to do that... Felt wrong somehow...to sell the costume I had just that second been performing in... plus I love it too!!! told her to check out Eman Zaki's website instead!

better go finish the packing.... maybe I'll squeeze in 2 hours sleep before I travel! I've been warned that the AC on the bus is full blast- therefore freezing- but everytime you get out the bus its roasting hot- how to dress for that journey eh?!!!

Not taking the computer with me- so no more blogs for a week... will be strange to be offline for so long- amazing (and more that a touch frightening) how addicted you can get to the internet- so i'm going cold turkey!

oh- and I have a dancer staying with me just now from Mexico who is attending Raqia's winter intensive training course this week 9 which is being held in 6th October city- miles out of town!)- so when i get back my hols I'll pick her brains and tell you all about that!!!!!

Happy Eid to all.......Happy Holidays!