How it happened... my story so far...

This post has been inspired by a question from one of my blog readers (thanks Anya!)who wanted to know how I came to be where i am! Since I have published so many posts now on this blog, over the years it might not be apparent to new readers how i came to be where i am today. So this is for you guys!!!

Bascially my story is this...

I was teaching Bellydance throughout Scotland for 9 years full time. Every year I came to Cairo at least once, although eventually up to four times in a year, just to buy costumes, music and see dancers and be inspired. To learn more so i could teach my ever hungry students even more!

On one trip, I had at least 4 different people within 4 days saying to me.. but why don't you work here... and me constantly saying 'i'm not good enough'. I decided to listen to people instead of my own self doubts.. and tried out for a couple of auditions... and was offered 2 jobs instantly! I was overwhelmed and very happy. However I was also very commited to my students (over 400 of them by this time!) and to my Edinburgh fringe festival show which was already selling tickets. So I declined both job offers but told them that I would be back in the spring to work.

So thats what i did. I told all my students, friends family etc etc that i was moving to cairo to try my luck at performing over there for 6 months... and then I'd be back again to resume normal life and show them all what i had learnt!

As you can see, over 4 years later ,I'm still here- things didn't really go to plan.

You see , the problem was, that laws changed about foreign dancers work permits... and it became very difficult for any new dancer to get a license to work. You needed a work visa to get a contract, and a contract to get a visa. In those 1st 6months I did get work for a while...good work... in a couple of 5 star hotels... but without work papers. So i was continually looking over my shoulder, scared I would be discovered and possibly deported! I couldn't even advertise the fact that I was working on my blog in case anyone told tales on me to the police!

After a year I was ready to quit and come home... feeling myself a failure. I hadn't achieved what I had gone there for. I had worked.. but couldnt tell anyone about it... I was the lowest emotionally I have ever been in my life. I had come from Scotland where I was a big fish in the pond, to Cairo where i didn't even feacture as a tiddler. My self esteem was at an all time low. I even had quesitons about how I could go on. I was also financially low, having spent my entire lifes savings just living, rent, food, arabic lessons for a while. Things couldn't have been much worse in fact. The only thing that really kept me going that year was the fact that not one single day went by in the entire year, where I didn't get some email of support from my friends and students back home. All proud of me... and missing me, and wishing I'd come home but also encouraging me to keep at it and stick to my dreams. Women telling me how I had inspired them to start up their own businesses, to follow their dreams. I felt I had let them all down. I had failed.It felt really awful.

The day I was set to pack my bags... i got offered 2 contracts!!! Never rains but it pours, and couldn't have been even a day later, i was at the very end of my tether and 5 days away from my final plane ticket! I refused the contract at the Sheraton and accepted the one at the Pharoahs boats. I was at last legal!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been dancing at the Pharoahs ever since.

There are still problems of course. The main one is that foreign dancers are only permitted to perform at the venue written on thier contract... so that means scouting about for other work is difficult. The beauracracy is always a nightmare, with all my work papers having to be renewed everytime I leave the country. Even to the point of having to retake an aids test every time!!! (bizarre law!). I hope the future gets brighter for other foreign dancers wanting to work here too because at the moment it doesn't seem great.I don't know of anyone else who has got a work visa since I did 3 years ago, unless they are married to an Egyptian. It's even harder now to make it here than when i first arrived. The pay is good by Egyptian standards, but not very good if you are trying to cover flights 'home' and rent and of course the ever needed new costumes. Which is why i rent out my 2 spare rooms to visiting dancers, to help pay my rent.

That said, i really enjoying having people stay- meeting likeminded women from all over the world and showing them 'my' Cairo. Its great. Also , despite doing it for over 3 years, I STILL get a buzz dancing on the Nile night after night, with my own band. I do what i love. Its a great feeling. I also love that everyday i am learning something new about the culture, the language, the music, the dance. Everyday!

Of course i still have greater aspirations. To be known more and working more , teaching and performing on the international circut. To be performing here on a larger stage with a larger orchestra. However, I am also very gratful to be in the very fortunate position of being content with my life. There are not many who can say that i know.

so... Thats my story so far............

how long I'll stay in Egypt? as long as i can keep performing..I love it so much.... after that, who knows?

Lunch time cruise on the Nile

One of my friends just sent me a link to this latest clip on youtube. It's a bit scary what i almost show during my saaidi steps in that high cut skirt!!!!

Hope you enjoy........... enjoy the dance that is.... not the 'almost' view!!!!!!!

Bellydancing Blogging LIVE

well it doesn't get any more live than this........ I am writing this from my changing room onboard the Golden Pharoah boat in Cairo. I have performed 2 shows, and have one more to go before the 'work' part of the night is over.So here we are, you and me.... Bobbing about on the Nile!

I decided there was way too much time wasted in my life sitting about at work in between sails... so i bought an internet USB and plan to start trying to clear my outstanding emails and keep my lovely readers as up to date as you can possibly be, without actually being here in my changing room with me... !!!

I love going to see dancers perform and i don't do it enough! However, having a couple of London bellydancers staying with me this week has been a good excuse to go to the Nile Maxim to see Randa Kamel and also the the Marriot hotel to see Suraya. Fabulous.

Randas wore a stunning gold bedla which was edged in tons and tons of feathers- about 3 feather boa's worth! The photos don't seem to have come out very well- but if my friends got better ones I'd add them later! My complaint about the whole show was that it was too short. This is the problem with shows on boats (as I well know after doing the same job for over 3 years). There were only 2 costumes... the gold feather and then a green trouser saaidi. The crowd were a thursday night party crowd who wanted to get up and dance on the stage with her and have their photos taken... which she did with grace... but frustrating for us when we want to just watch her dance. I love the way that randa put fantastic timing into her dance... creating space by holding a pose- and then... only then.... hitting the beat with a move. Very powerful. I just wish i could see a whole hour long show again... I miss the days when she performed at the Marriot. Thats stage was big enough for her... the Nile Maxim just isn't.

It was interesting conversation too- chatting with the London dancers I was there with and another pro dancer who is currently working in Dubai. I know nothing about work in the gulf and it was interesting to ask her how it all works. Seems much easier in lots of ways than here... but you don't usually get your own band- just work with the hotel band wherever you go... which i guess has benefits and downsides too, like little rehearsal time!

Suraya last night was inspiring as always. Wasn't very impressed by the costumes though. A samba suit to start- for the enterance dance and some Egyptian classic songs... it just looked wrong! Then a turkish trouser outfit, in flesh colour with lots and lots of tassles... which was different... but unfortunatly her black knee support bandage was very obvious through it and somewhat distracting! The a black dress, that i liked but the others didn't. She finished her show on an Om kalthoum... which was my favourite dance of the night- I LOVE her violin player! i would have liked to see her drum solo though. Lots of intricate tight moves that I have already found dancing tonight influencing me a bit! My drummer Magdy is doing a good job keeping up! I even put in a new ending instead of my usual kiss to the hips... which was Suraya inspired... but nothing i actually saw her doing- if that makes sense!!!

ok... i can hear the zeffa outside.... i guess we have a bride onboard tonight. i better go touch up my make-up and get myself stretched out to get onstage!!! Happy to be onboard blogging!

Shahla Belly Dancer

Shahla is one of the top dancers in UK, based in London,and since there isnt a lot of video footage of her around, she doesn't always get the acclaim i think she deserves. A beautiful dancer with a massive wealth of moves and an authentic feel for the music.

Death of a Duck

THIS is what happens when the duck stops singing.........................



..... other than that, things are good in Cairo.

The weather is perfect... warm high 20's most days- or low 30's, as yet not too much sand from our annual 'Khamsin' although i guess there is still time for that to kick in! My balcony garden is steadily growing... now i have killed the ants that lived in the pots and didn't seem to be doing them much good. I drink freshly picked mint tea every morning.

Work on the boat has been pretty much daily recently...although I have a few days off due to me later this week.... and I am loving dance and interacting with my audiences. I even feel I am getting the hang of the 'arab' audiences more... but that could be famous last words! The 'trick' seems to be direct eye contact, especially with the women, and not being the 1st to look away!!! Very un-British!! That and a kind of widening the eyes, almost in recognition, when you 1st look at each person. This doesn't seem to work with European audiences so well but is great with the Egyptians and Arabs!!!!!! Obviously the dancing has to be up to scratch too- the eyes alone won't cut it!

I have 2 new guests arriving from London tonight.... so i am sure it will be a party week with little chance to get online, but i am thinking seriously about buying a USB attachment so i can get online at work. I do an awful lot of sitting about between sails at work... so perhaps this is the answer to my massive outstanding email list!!!!?

So, shopping list for today; a couple of boxes of water for the 'mornings after', a USB so i can get some work done and a new duck!

Eastern treasure in the heart of Hussain

A new Indian restaurant has opened up in the most unusual of locations. Just as you emerge from the underpass from al azhar to Hussain, facing you is a huge beautiful brass door. Upstairs there is a sumptiously decorated cafe and indian restaurant with me and my friend Emily checked out last night.

The restaurant is called Taj al Sultan and its address is 1 al azhar square! they have valet parking should you require it, and the food was incrediably tasty. We had 2 starters, 2 vegetarian main courses, fabulous garlic naan bread and a coffee and water and the bill was 185le. I'd definatly like to return to try out more from their menu.

Service was elegant.

If you don't like Indian food- no problem- they also have a moroccan menu.... and indeed a lot of the decor reminded me of Morocco Walima (a restaurant I used to dance in in Edinburgh!) Not to mention the uniforms with the fez hats!

They were throwing a childrens birthday party upstairs... and I laughed til i cried when a pantomine horse came around all the tables in the restaurant, nuzzeling up to various higabbed women before heading up to entertain the kids!

Their website is http://www.tajalsultan.com/ and although it is fairly slow to upload, i do like the steaming cups of tea on the home page! There are also photos of the interior in the gallery page if you have the patience to wait for them.

A lovely bit of culinary calm in the chaos which is Khan al Khalili.

Cairo answers

Answers to problems..................... some are very strange... for instance , if I spent a large amount of time in my car... and found my mobile phone battery kept dying- I'd buy a charger for my phone...


in Cairo -no- they install these units at petrol stations so you can charge up your phone as the same time you are filling your car with petrol (or whatever it takes!) and yourself with coffee!




I don't have my own car... therefore don't carry around a charger that works in a car... so i have actually had to use this on occasion!!!!

Actually... my current answer to this problem, which is a huge problem in Cairo since all plans are made and changed at the very last minute!, is to always have a spare battery pr charged in my wallet!!Thats the cost of living moment to moment!!!!!

Old style Glamour

The last time i was back in Scotland my friend Michele Dillon, who is a fantastic photographer (and dancer too!) and based in Glasgow, did a few studio shots for me. If you are interested in getting her to do some shots for you her website is http://www.micheledillon.com/

It was my last night before I flew back to Cairo... and I had been teaching all day.. but despite that she did wonders and managed to get a few good shots....

Hope you like the Egyptian flag inspired costume!

Pharonic Village, Cairo

Every day when i get a taxi to work, the driver asks if i want the pharonic boat, or pharonic village.... Since I had never visited the 'village' I thought having visitors from Scotland was the perfect excuse to go and see what i had been missing.

This was a very expensive day out (160le for an adult, which means anyone over the age of 10!!!) ...... but incrediably interesting and educational. The children i went with really enjoyed it too.

The tour starts with a boat trip round the island with a prerecorded commentary, showing you statues of people and gods of note from the pharonic era. We found it amusing that the god Osiris had his own personal shower head over him!!!


There were lots and lots of herons nesting,

and a model of the Moses story within the bullrushes...

and lots of 'how life was' scenes of cultivation and craftmaking...... all with actors dressed in clothes of the day, and some responding to that fact that there was a boat full of tourists looking at them, but mostly just repeating over and over their actions, which i think i prefered because you could imagine more how it might have been in those times...

farming....

storing the grain....

None of the women working there looked particularly happy, but i felt it made a really nice change to see so many women employed in somewhere like this despite that...mind you, i guess they must repeat the same actions numerous times for all the boats coming round all day....

fishing (he had some plastic nile fish in his net too!)...


The women pretending to squeeze flowers to squeeze out perfume oils was a very pretty scene..

But the potter was the only one actually actively creating something, rather than just miming....

spinning the wheel with his feet.....

It was all very well done... but there were a few things that really annoyed us... like the metal file with plastic handle for filing the alabaster???? and the plastic sheeting over some paintings which reflecting in the sunlight and meant you couldn't see the imagine. Plastic in pharonic times... hmm- they were ahead of their time- but not that much!

Also the commentary was incrediably fast as was the boat, so to listen to everything, take it in, think about it and watch everything going on, never mind to take photos there just wasn't time. I think i heard maybe half of what was said. I would have liked all that slowed down... especially for people who might find a lot of these ideas and words new. I felt very sorry for the chinese guy in front of us who was translating everything into chinese for his group after it was said in English.... even he just gave up in places! It wouldn't have taken much on their part to have added a few minutes onto that section of the tour, since it was the most interesting part of the entire village.

After the boat tour we had a personal guide to take us round the 'temple' which is a copy of the temple in Karnack in Luxor, although much smaller! She had a lot of interesting things to say... but unfortunatly her English wasn't good. She knew her script, and recited it incrediably fast, but didn't know the intonation of how it should be said , so we could hardly understand anything she said, and that was us British,... trying to understand English, god only knows how the Chinese group got on with that!!! Esther did try on the anubis mask though and said it was very heavy!

I guess its the performancer in me that really loved seeing the 'actors' when they had finished their pharonic jobs for us, sinking back into real life- a pharonic bread maker checking her mobile!!!....



The scene themselves were really well recreated and reminded me of scenes i saw in Siwa, where house are still built around palm trees, these urns were used to store the wine!

The thing that really let the whole experience down (other than the boat with prerecorded message being too fast, and the guide's English not being great and being incrediably fast) was that we felt the hard sell.

Maybe this works with some people, but to us it felt pushy and cheap. The tickets to the pharonic village are not cheap, yet the guide's talking suddenly slowed down and we weren't rushed onto the next exhibit any time there was an opportunity for us to spend money... at the shops and cafeteria. To the point that we really got quite annoyed and i had to ask the women to move onto the next exhibit after the shop as we didn't want to spend any more money! That's when she discovered i spoke arabic, and wasn't too impressed at my request to move on. Which makes me think that her work is partly commision based. After spending so much entrance fee it really was a cheek to be continually asking for more.

At one point they showed us bread making and described an ancient egyptian pizza- some bread with olives and tomato... and offered to sell us some.. tell me; what would it have cost them to have had a tiny portion for each of us to try, for free. We would have felt it was a much classier experience, worth the huge entrance fee! In fact- we were so angered by this attitude throughout that i even took a photo of the 'motto' they had around the village... because i felt it all sounded lovely- but NOT lived up to, unfortunatly! Especially number 2 and 5 !!!!

However, depsite the many things they could have done to improve our experience, Overall fun was had by all............ as you can see from the photo below... a fun informative, child friendly day out.

facebook....

Facebook advertising!

I spent all evening, with my feet up resting, and trying to get a facebook page organised... so i can seperate out my 'dance life' and my 'normal life' . I am not sure yet whether this is possible or not.......... as in, I'm not sure that i have a 'normal' life in anyway shape or form...!!!

So it's there now, a new facebook page;

Lorna of Cairo (aka BellyLorna!)

which sends out invites to my friends asking them if they would like to become a 'fan' of Lorna- I mean really - what sort of question is that??????? It feels totally wrong and big headed. Not Scottish at all. But anyway- it's done now.... so i am hoping i can get lots of 'fans' to join! (failing that- anyone interested in hearing more about my bellydance life is welcome- you don't have to class yourself as a 'fan' !!!!!)

I plan to update it (along with the blog of course!) with new of any workshops/performances etc etc and already there are a few photos up there too!

become a fan......................?


Lorna of Cairo (aka BellyLorna!)

Promote your Page too

Ra'asa Naemet Mokhtar

This dance had the most amazing backbend in the history of bellydance !!!!

and facial expressions too- the days before botox- LOVE IT !!!

Feet!

'The show must go on'............



well, it did tonight....despite what happened.


I was on my final set of the night (4th, since 2 shows).. and dancing saaidi. It was going well- that is to say , the first 10 seconds went ok... then i spun on the stage over the part on the stage when the wood joins (or doesn't unfortunatly, which was the problem in this case) and cut my foot. It was a pain worse than the usual torn foot while dancing type of pain. It's a common occurance when you dance bare foot to cut them up occasionally, however......


as I said... the show must go on....

so, dripping blood all over the stage (now a lovely tie-dye effect floor), I continued to wow my very appreciative audience with my saaidi, baladi and , if i say so myself a very nice, drum solo.



HOWEVER... when i got back to my room, and the adrenaline from the show had subsided a little, I looked at the damage...





....... to discover that not only did i still have a splinter in my toe, a splinter the width of half a match stick at that.... but that it was all the way through- from the bottom of my toe to the top. I'll repeat that - ALL THE WAY THROUGH. Wood sticking out a hole in the bottom of the toe, and the same piece of wood sticking out through the top of the same toe.



Like a spear through my stomach, an arrow through my heart.... my toe was speared.





Quite frankly I am quite impressed that i didn't actually faint there and then. I have rarely seen anything quite so grotesque!

After some hysterics- i was in shock after all, I managed to limp my way to the nearest chemist (thank god they are open 24/7). 2 of my drummers joined me (bless them) and held my hand as the pharmacist, who was very impressed with my injury, covered my toe in anaestetic and antiseptic... then pulled the huge log (slight exaggeration allowed- it really felt like that!!) all the way through. He didn't let me see the offending article, because it had bits of me stuck to it, seemingly.....! YUCK!!!!



I was quite proud of myself when the drummers started discussing between themselves how if that had been anyone else they would have quit dancing straight away, or been on the ground in pain, but not Lorna, she's strong. I have to ask, is that a good thing????!!!

The toe is still numb, and I am hoping it will stay that way so I get a decent sleep tonight... but am dreading dancing tomorrow!

Other than the toe, life is going well......................



oh, but i forgot to tell you about last thursdays 'stage v's feet' experience....


Last week my place of work here in Cairo decided to repair the stage, which was hugely appreciated and much overdue. HOWEVER, they varnished it at 2pm..... The boat sails at 7pm. The floor was still totally wet when i went to dance, barefoot as normal! It was like dancing on glue. In fact it was so sticky that I left the top layer of my feet on the floor... it just ripped right off me- like a plaster! Very painful- every step. OUCH! I was worried about hurting my knees or something since once the feet were place, there was no pivoting allowed, the varnish held tight. I most uncomfortable dancing experience EVER! I got them to lay a carpet over it so i could dance the second sail that night, but OUCH, carpet burns on already raw feet. That whole night really was bad! The tannoura described trying to dance on it as jumping like a 'catcoot' (chicken) on a hot floor, and, then he forgot, and he lay down during one part of his show and his head stuck to the varnish!!!!!!!!!!! dancers feet and tannouras hair- sounds like a recipe for a witches brew.

so far the score is ; stage- 2 points, feet- nil !!! ...

NOT a good week for feet. Lets hope this coming week is a good one for everything!!!!!!!


No photos of injured feet , you'll be glad to know, but thought I would add this photo taken of me by Michelle Dillon, in Edinburgh this month, chatting and stretching at the end of one of my workshops... you can see from the colour of them how much the , as well as everything else, had been working!!!

Scottish Tour success

It's nearing an end... only one more workshop tommorrow in Glasgow and then that's me flying back to the Nile!

Todays workshop in Edinburgh went really well... a really fun and talented group of dancers from all over Scotland joined me.............

and I enjoyed teaching so much i really could have gone on for a few more hours!!!!!!!! Not sure how the energy levels would have kept up though. In fact, by the end of the class I was lying on the floor..........

There are a few youtube entires of my performances at the 'Lorna of Cairo Hafla' here in Edinburgh last thursday night... All 3 costumes are by the wonderful Eman Zaki (who will be teaching at the Farha Festival in Luxor alongside me later this year!)

so.......here you are, some dance footage from Edinburgh...

1st set- My new 'entrance piece' music called 'Hanan' :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWZn66xGN1g

2nd set- The 'Iskandarani' style dance to 'Edella alla Keyfaak' was popular- there are 2 different recordings here of the same performance!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUBSgy7PIck

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTeshI6H0vM

3rd set- Hope you like the costume. It's the Egyptian flag! The set started with 'Ya habibty Ya Masr' which is essentially an unofficial national anthem of Egypt, and the song people sing in the street when Egypt win any football match. I then danced to 'Scotland the Brave'- least anyone should think I have changed allegience 100%, after all- I am still a 'bint el baladi' ! and then it was the drum solo.............. which didn't go to plan.........and was a lesson learned in making sure you rehearse with your drummer before you get on stage!... but we made the best out of it and had a giggle too...... here is just a tiny clip of it to show you the costume in action!!! :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhMQw-4hZWc

There were also so many fantastic photos taken on this night, that i don't know where to even begin to choose which ones to add to the blog- so give me a few days to go through them all please!!! Huge thanks to all those talented people behind cameras!!!

Better go get some beauty sleep so I am ready for my Glasgow workshop and my photoshoot tomorrow!!!!!!!!

Sunny Edinburgh

Yes the sun is shining in Scotland- and i went out for lunch with a friend who I haven't seen in ages and she was wearing a Linen skirt, Tshirt and no jacket!!!! I was wearing a t-shirt, under my jumper dress and scarf and jacket........... hmm- i don't think I have acclimatised!!!

I am kicking myself that i forgot about getting a group photo at the workshop in Dundee last weekend.... but i did remember to take one at the Edinburgh one the week before.....

There are still a few places on the workshop in Edinburgh this coming saturday... contact Elspeth for details and to book!! ( swishandhips@hotmail.co.uk ) We will be covering different things from the last Edinburgh workshop, so if you want to do both, you'd be welcome and you won't be repeating yourself!!!

Don't you just love how Natalie's hand is cupping my face in the above photo? We couldn't have possibly arranged that if we had tried!!!!

Better get back to getting my music sorted for the 'Lorna of Cairo Hafla' tomorrow night! Oh and I have decided to dance 3 times so I get to wear all of my new Eman Zaki costumes!!!
( http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=356896083464&ref=ts )

Edinburgh workshop 20th March

I can't believe the time here is going by so fast.

I taught a very successful and fun, workshop on the 6th in Edinburgh- and there was enough interest to warrent putting on an extra class this saturday, 20th. Just waiting for the bookings for that to come in.......

and Glasgow on sunday 21st too... goodie goodie!

Dundee workshop last saturday was sold out too... and was a lot oof fun.. so much for 'less is more' which was the topic. Granted I did give lots of ideas on how to pack more punch into your performance... but I gave lots and lots of moves too! In fact, the last 2 workshops have shown me that i know a lot more than I always think I do! I need to teach high level classes more often, it inspires me! I had written out a list of some techniques i had wanted to cover in each workshop... and i didn't even use the sheet, because i came up with (of my body did anyway- doesn't seem to go via the brain!) so many other things on the day!!! We had a lot of fun and was lovely to see so many fabulous women, some of whom I haven't seen for years! Last week it was my glutes that were feeling it- this week my stomach muscles!!!

... and the 'Lorna of Cairo' hafla this Thursday too... which of my 3 lovely new Eman costumes should I go for??? Hmmm.... you'll have to come along to find out!

I have started to catch up with friends this week.... last week was 100% family! I love having good friends that even though we may not have seen each other for up to 6 months, when we get together its like there hasn't been anytime apart!!! Tonight after a meal at one friend's house I am heading out to dance at 'Medina' which has some salsa and some world music playing!!! Tomorrow night I am inviting everyone who knows me... along to 'Empires' restaurant to have dinner and catch up... we may well end up hitting some club after too- the ones who don't have early work next day anyway!!! Hope to see lots of people out tonight and tomorrow!

next week will be the Cairo friends catch up!

love to all my friends, and students!!!!.... wherever in the world you might be!

PS remember to BOOK NOW for Thursdays Hafla and Saturday's workshop!

Vodaphone lessons learned!

I've been having issues sending and receiving text messages on my mobile phone, but only when i am on my UK sim. Between friday and yesterday I talked to about 7 different customer care advisors... and it has finally resolved. HOWEVER it did take over 2 solid hours on the phone to 2 operators (at the same time!) yesterday to solve the issue.

The ladies on the phone were very friendly and kept thanking me for my humour and patience throughout this... which they agreed was a nightmare for me. So I didn't have to say the same story twice i held the landline, and the mobile to each ear and told them the whole story... how the phone works totally fine with my Egyptian sim card in it etc etc..... they both asked me to repeat... and asked me why i used an Egyptian sim card. i explained thats because i live in Egypt. They then told me.... do you realise we are in Cairo... the call centre is based here!!! we all laughed and chatted in arabic... and they repeated how nice I was being with them and I told them why.

The truth is, if i had been in such a frustrating , time consuming position with a call centre 4 years ago- i would have probably been shouting and swearing long ago. But after 4 years of Cairo, and all the things you have to just be patient with, I have learned. i have become 'Egyptisnized!!!' . I have learned to laugh at the little things and become more accepting of fate. Less confrontational and demanding. (at least in my 'public life' !!!). They agreed i was different that the majority of their UK customers. It was all very culturally enlightening and bizarre!! Lovely ladies too- wish i had got their names so i could have met them for coffee when i got back!

On the dance front- My Dundee Workshop this saturday is now fully booked!!! which is great- unless you hoped to come and didn't get your name in fast enough! As far as I know there are still some spaces on the Edinburgh 20th and Glasgow 21st workshops....so if you are interested get your names to Elspeth and Joanie fast..... But at this rate- this could be a sell out Scottish tour!!!

Dancing with 'my gals' !

Miss Jean Brodie herself couldn't have been more proud of her 'gals' as i was today dancing with the Edinburgh dancers (and a few very welcome dancers came through from Glasgow too!). They were fabulous. "The creme de la creme"... as Jean would say!

We had a lot of fun, and the dance studio at Telford College is just lovely. Adam drummed for us- and we sweated a LOT- ok, I shouldn't speak for others- I sweated a lot!!! It felt great to be just going for it with the music! I never really realise how much my dancing has improved and changed until i get back to the homeland and dance with my old collegues and students in Scotland again. It's nice to seem them grow and improve in dance too. I feel very proud to know i have been one of the teachers who have helped Scotland to have such a high standards of dancers!

The workshop was a sell out.. and we had to turn so many people away.. that Elspeth (the organiser) and myself have decided to run a second Edinburgh workshop on Saturday 20th March (times TBC) !!!! so......... if you couldn't make today, or if there wasn't space for you today, or if you were there and fancy MORE of Lorna then contact Elspeth to get your name on her list ASAP. We'll be doing a lot of technique, and some musical interpretation, and generally dancing Cairo style! Theme being 'Less is more, Sassy and sexy!' Hope you can join us!

so- my diary for the rest of the Scottish tour;

Dundee Workshop- Sat 13th March

Edinburgh Hafla- Thurs 18th March

Edinburgh back by popular demand Workshop- NEW!- Sat 20th March

Glasgow Workshop- Sun 21st March


It might be cold, well, it IS cold, never mind the 'might'!!! but It's good to be back!

The rest of the week is going to be spent with mum... and i am hoping for sunshine so we can get lots of fresh air. After getting used to the pollution of Cairo I can literally feel my lungs expand with oxygen here!!! The smell of woodland and burning pine.. ah.. bliss!

All that fresh air and exercise today however has worn me out.. so I plan to try to sleep before 11.30pm (the time i usually only finish work and go out in Cairo- but it's a different life here).

.... and so ,

" To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub;
For in that sleep "..... ..... I'll probably even dream of dance!!!


(wow- a literary blog from me today! both Muriel Spark and Shakespeare quoted in one entry!!!)

and... since the workshop went so well today i guess i can quote;

"I am a teacher! First, last, always! "

and the fact that it went SO well that we are organising a follow up one I think I'll even add....

"I am truly in my Prime"

Hail

yes- thats right
we had HAILSTONES in Cairo on thursday last week.....! and rain like I've never seen- despite living all my life in Scotland (well- until Egypt that is!)

It was the night of the celebrations for the prophets birthday... so it was going to be crowded in the streets anyway- but a bit of rain, ok, a LOT of rain, and HAIL... (did i mention HAIL!) then the streets become locked. The problem is the lack of drainage which means the roads turn into stream or puddles...! Seemingly thats only the 2nd time in 16 years that they have had any type of white stuff fall from the sky. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't actually held a melting ice pellet in my hand... unfortunatly I was sitting in a taxi at the time... who's windows wouldn't close... which is why the hail landed on my lap! seemingly the staff at Mena Hotel hotel were out taking photos of the grass inthe grounds, because it turned white.. I very rare occurance here!

I've had some great nights at work... with audiences ranging from entire groups of egyptian woman (a LOT of fun) to a group of japanese who looked on stony eyed throughout the whole show and then joyously danced with me as I went round to do the photos... to a crowd of Indians who also sat looking miserable the entire performance... but never took their eyes off me and were up dancing and loving it by the end. Cultural differences are so strange , for example, Last night, just before going on stage I got the 'oh Lorna, you've got fat!'.............. the LAST thing a girl needs to hear before stepping onto stage. Even though she then insisted she meant it in a good way(???!!!) I wasn't amused! hmmm anyway- i then went on to do 2 of my best shows ever i suspect... so maybe it was my way of saying ... 'something not very nice' to the girl who had said that to me!

Yesterday i did a photo shoot for Pharonics costumes again... a lot of fun, just me, and 2 other local dancers. looking forward to those pictures coming out online (although since the website is barred from Egypt to protect the costume designs.. I wil have to rely on you guys telling me when you see the website changed!!!!)

Today i taught 5 lovely Australian women (part of the Silk Caravan troupe). We had a good time and covered everything from arms to shimmys to saaidi to oh you name it- it was mentioned...! Now I'm off the Eman Zaki's to see if my new costumes are going to be ready before I travel (hope so because I want to wear them to the Halfa in Edinburgh on 18th March!). Then i have 2 sails at work (so anything between 2-4 shows) and the Australians are coming along to cheer for me! Looking forward to that- love dancing for friends!

Busy life, busy days...

...and looking forward to seeing everyone on Scotland very soon (workshops; 6th Edinburgh, 13th Dundee and 21st Glasgow. Hafla in Edinburgh 18th)

PS- that was written this afternoon... now i am back home, after costume shops (very excited about my new ones!) and after getting a taxi to work, being told that the 1st sail of the night is cancelled- GRRRR- so had to get taxi all the way home again or wait in the cold for nearly 3 hours! welcome to the downside of Cairo life ( one of them!)

Lorna Performing in Edinburgh!

Its official..................

*I'm* having a hafla........... well, the Bellydance Diva's of Scotland are throwing a Hafla in my honour- I am so chuffed!

'Lorna of Cairo Hafla' !

Date: Thursday, 18 March 2010
Time: 19:00 - 22:00
Location: Teviot Underground, Bristo Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9AJ

Tickets are £8 advance/£10 on the door. Advance tickets can be purchased from;

Shelley Skipper (shelleyskipper@googlemail.com),
Elspeth Alexandra (swishandhips@hotmail.co.uk) or
Caroline Evans (bellydancedivas@hotmail.com).

The venue requires photographic ID for everyone (no under 18s)

Back in the days when I used to teach all the Edinburgh University dance classes (Arabic and African dance society was set up to accomodate the classes i taught in fact!!!) I used to hold Hafla's here- so it will be a trip down memory lane too.......... I've been a professional dancer now for over 12 years!!!!!!!! Now THAT is scary!

Now I need to think what new costumes to wear at the hafla!!!!! Hope to see you all there...... This is my ONLY UK performance this year, until I perform in London in August!!!

and there's more....

It's just a little clip- but it gives and idea of another costume at least....

so here goes- my second youtube upload.... I'd add the one with the bride and groom- but only after i have their permission!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay7CeWazYpY


at least you see the Scarlet o'hara/Scottish wedding dress inspired costume that i had Eman Zaki make for me!!!!

a first...

I've never before decided to share a video clip that i have had taken of myself before today... Ever my own worst critic, I am never content with what i have done. So I have decided that this is not a healthy way to be and trying to change that!

I performed on Saturday night at a Sudanese Wedding,at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, here in Cairo. It was a fabulous event... with a very warm and welcoming crowds from Cairo, Sudan and Canada... amoungst other countries!

The zeffa started with the bagpipes- i tried to get a photo, but it didn't come out very well...

in fact the video clip i have uploaded onto youtube hasn't the best image quality either- and i will try to get that rectified if i can.... but in the meantime here you go- hot off the press- a performance not even 2 days old!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YkPvKXQInE


So......... considering i had never before even met those particular backing dancers, and despite my band forgetting my stick, the one thing I asked them to bring for me, and despite having a small girl with mobile in my face all the time, who I quite frankly lost my affection for throughout the course of my performance and wanted to have cross words with her parents.....

i think it looks ok......

Translations of songs

Found a blog that has a lovely translation in it..also some thoughts, poems and ideas, political and emotional from an arab man's viewpoint. check it out!

http://saeedomar.blogspot.com

This is the translation included...

Amal Hayati by Om Kalsoum


Hope of my life
O love that has costed much;
one that does not end
O beautiful song
that my heart has heard,
and cannot be forgotten
take all of my life
but today, but today, let me live


let me aside you, leave me
in the lap of your heart
and leave me dream, leave me
and i hope my time wont wake me up!


i have never tasted passion like your passion
i have never liked my life, if it wasnt for you
i accepted my wishes, and accepted this life, and accepted love

the first time we met I gave you my heart; my heart

more than this joy i dont dream
more than what i am in, i dont ask

after my contentment with you
if my life persihes, i wont regret

and it is enough to wake up to your smile saying 'Ya Ein'
i d hear it like a song,
that says 'my love does not end'

let me aside you, leave me
in the lap of your heart
and leave me dream, leave me
and i hope my time wont wake me up!

whose love, have made all life love
whose closeness, woken my life and my heart

and you along, it is hard to blink an eye; not even for a second
it is hard to see your beauty and sweetness fade

thus i miss you, thus i long for you
longing for you, and you and you

i wish i can call you with a word that has not been called upon you, by anyone
a word that measures up to all of your love
measures up to all my yearnings
a word like you; and who is like you!?
for the like of you, have not seen another

o my love, however long my life is with you, its days would be few
for the happiness and passion in your love, could not last us long generations

your love have fulfilled my heart and thoughts
illuminated my night and make me live longer

a busy day in the life of Lorna....

Trying to get myself organised... for a change. But have managed to get quite a lot done today. The Scottish tour workshops are confirmed...

Edinburgh 6th March, to book contact Elspeth, swishandhips@hotmail.co.uk
Dundee 13th March, to book contact Nova, nova_pin@hotmail.com
Glasgow 21st March, to book contact Joanie, bellydancerjoanie@hotmail.com


It's going to be really good to see everyone again. Now I just have to work out some studio space for teaching some private classes................ let me know if you are interested in that or/and if you have venue ideas in Edinburgh area!!!!


I also discovered 2 video clips on youtube of myself that I didn't know existed- funnily enough, both in the same costume (my Mango pharonics one!)- but not filmed by the same person or on the same date!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upstvy5uxnU

and

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


AND i did a private arabic class for 2.5 hours and felt I really made progress, it's slowly coming together! A friend was very patient with me and sat answering my questions. I have decided that i want to take one verb, then go through all possible uses of it... and really get good at it... thats the plan anyway... I have a fair amount of vocabulary now.... but i put it together in a way that isn't always understood as well as I'd like!!!

AND i did some 'dance' homework... working out what moves I actually do have in my current performance repertoire, and finding that Thank God- i do have a lot more than 6 !!!! Sometimes it feels like you do the same thing over and over... but i haven't been, I dont think! Mind you- I also have some fresh inspiration now and can resurrect some moves I haven't used for a while! These things really do go in phases for me. The downside of not choreographing.... the upside is of course that you 'invent' new moves whilst improvising! I miss teaching! That is the perfect way for me to keep a handle on all my various moves!!! I even practised!!!

AND i cooked- worthy of note becuase I so rarely do that! Healthy stuff too!

AND i dyed my hair (well, a friend did that for me)... I MISS being blonde, although granted don't really want to be blonde in this country!

busy day............ and it's not even midnight yet!...... what to do now?................

Workshops in Glasgow

Well its just been confirmed- I will be teaching in Glasgow, Scotland on Sunday 21st March. It's been a while since i taught in the west coast of Scotland and I am really looking forward to seeing everyone there again!

Lorna of Cairo- Dance workshops in Glasgow

Sunday 21st March 2010.

12-1.15 - Latest moves from Cairo

1.30 - 3.15 - Dance like an Egyptian!

venue - western baths club, cranworth st, hillhead

open level workshops - no beginners

each workshop £15 or 2 for £25

To book, contact Joannie Ward on bellydancerjoanie@hotmail.com
or call her on 0141 427 9261 or 07878 732429



I'll be advertising the Dundee workshop information very soon too!

Lorna's Scottish tour!

Ladies night in............

Last night I had a really fabulous evening.

I decided that in Scotland I have a large network of women who i care about and we all support each other and it feels good, essential. Here in Cairo I have a few close friends, and lots of woman I know to say hi to... but there never seems to be enough opportunity to either deepen those friendships or to meet new women.

so- in keeping with Egyptian culture and tradition, i decided what we needed was a Ladies night in. There was about 12 of us in the end.... and it was such a positive, enriching enviroment that i am getting excited about planning the next one already!

It is the 'thing' that Egyptian women have I guess which helps them cope in such a male dominated community... these gatherings of the women... and its not just about meeting when you don't have to have your hair covered!!!! I can see now that is the secret to the Egyptian woman's strength... other women. Not exactly an earth shattering realisation- but one thats taken 4 years before I did anything about it! So I am adopting that element of the Egyptian culture. After all- in Scotland when i was teaching so much I would literally see 400 women on a weekly basis, on top of my contact with close girlfriends. I can't believe it has taken me so long to realise that this is how to fill the massive gap in my life!

So last night me and my 'gals' sat for HOURS chatting about every topic under the sun. A marvelous mix of ages, nationalities and life experiences. Women from all walks of life, all loving the opportunity to relax and be 'themselves'.

We are fabulous!

....Girl Power!!

Edinburgh Workshop 6th March 2010

I've just attached the entire flyer for this upcoming workshop so you have all the info, should you want to come, or know anyone who might be interested..... please do forward it on- please note if this is your 1st time to my blog - this is not my usual blogging style- normally I waffle a lot!!!!!! and about a lot of things!!!


Workshop with Lorna of Cairo
WITH LIVE DRUMMING

Open level - suitable for all belly dancers (but not complete beginners)
1pm - 3.30pm
Edinburgh's Telford College, Granton Waterfront Campus, Edinburgh

£30

Two-and-a-half hours of pure Cairo dance, with Lorna of Cairo and drumming with Adam Reid. A fun workshop exploring ways to interpret the rhythms of Egyptian music. We will work on arms, feet, and everything in between! Although there will be the usual latest Cairo stories, the majority of the workshop will be DANCING - prepare to sweat!

About Lorna of Cairo

Before leaving her native Edinburgh to become a professional belly dancer in Cairo, Lorna was teaching 27 hours of belly dance classes each week, across Scotland. A hugely successful teacher and performer for almost a decade, Lorna enjoyed Edinburgh Fringe Festival successes and was resident dancer at Morocco Walima restaurant. Lorna is now the first Scottish dancer to work professionally in Cairo. She has been performing in Cairo for over three years and is currently a star of the Pharoaoh Nile Cruisers. Lorna records her adventures in a captivating blog that has a worldwide following, http://www.bellylorna.com/

"As a peformer, Lorna epitomises the cheeky sassiness of modern Cairo, and is a very giving and lively entertainer. As a teacher and as an individual, Lorna is witty, engaging, highly knowledgable and passionate about sharing her knowledge gained from first-hand experience." http://www.saqarah.co.uk/

To book your place contact Elspeth at swishandhips@hotmail.co.uk or send your payment by paypal to elspethalexandra@hotmail.com

more flat hunting............ and the best dance teachers around..

Blooming heck..............

well, thats the polite way to say what i really want to say anyway. today I had a day off work, which was supposed to be a day of rest and recover, however I agreed to go and view just one more flat with my friend. She is still seeking that perfect to be in place!

Downtown first... interesting characters showing us around, an old, greek looking, man with a stick, and a young higabbed girl with a wiggle in her walk. Old downtown flats are amazing- the architecture is fabulous, Italian and French inspired, and the ceilings are even higher than the ceilings i have seen in Edinburgh. Carved stone balconies and wrought iron lifts, wooden floors and fabulous carved ceilings are the order of the day. The downside, of the ones we saw today anyway, are no AC, little light, and LOTS of road traffic noise (and fumes). Romantic, but not practical.

After lots of sitting about, and waiting, we then headed to Zamalek to look at more flats... My friend thought she'd died and gone to heaven when she saw the 1st place.... wooden floors, huge windows, balconies.... just perfect really............ then of course- the price almost double her budget! Grr. It is so frustrating. You tell people EXACTLY what you want, and what you can afford,... and they show you something thats just NOT suitable. The next place was unbelieveable perfect, for the price, until we found out it didn't have enough bedrooms. Yet again the estate agent ('simsar' in arabic) hadn't listened at all.

The last place was funny (near 'nadi sid' - ie the Shooting club- which is also very near my house). There were 3 women 'cleaning' the place when we arrived. I putting cleaning in ' ' because one was asleep on the sofa , one was sitting chatting and the other was sort of cleaning.... sort of.... anyway- that flat is a possible... thank god the day wasn't totally wasted............ checking it again tomorrow in the daylight- god grant us strength!

Whats the point of this blog?............ Just to show how things are never easy here in this crazy city. Never boring either though. And that it does pay to stay tough, and to keep searching and searching for EXACTLY what you want. For my friend, its that perfect flat, for me It was a year searching for a dancing job without strings and with workpapers! Nothing is easy- but when you get what you search really hard for- its totally worth it!

I recently received the comment from a reader that she'd like to hear more about dancing.... The thing is that just day to day living here teaches me SO much about Egyptian attitudes and behaviour. I believe that until a dancer understands that, how can she hope, as a foreign dancer, to 'dance like an Egyptian' ?

What do i mean? Even the Estate agent... in all ages, shapes and sizes plays 'the game'... offering you the perfect flat, teasing you with flats out your reach, persuading you that you are his friend and he'll get you the best deal... all of that is useful on the dancefloor... Never actually promising anything, or even giving, but instead suggesting- a life of glamour,a bit of fun, a cheeky grin, an emotional response, an understanding soul. Telling your audience through your actions what they want to hear. It's all imperative in the dance... as much as a perfectly executed shimmy or hip drop or arabesque.

Even time keeping... often non Egyptian dancers (and occasionaly Egyptian ones too!) dance a little too fast. I've seen myself do it in the past, and still if I am nervous or ill or tired. We often try too hard. Egyptian attitude is so laid back that you think the dancer is going to totally ignore a certain beat in the music, and then she manages to hit it- effortlessly, almost as if it was an afterthought. This is a common approach to life here, planning your night out, after you have already left the house..., planning an appointment to view a flat, only to find you are there, but the owner still needs to be found to get the keys,whats the rush?....

The teachers of this intricate, amazing dance form are all around... in the people.

I Loved you for your Voice!

What can I say?

It's been a while since I've written a book review on my blog, but this book HAD to be written about. wow. I just finished it and want to share it with all the dancers i know! Actually, anyone interested in music and poetry will find it fascinating too, not to mention anyone who has ever been in love...............

If you have ever heard the singing of om kalthoum, if you have ever danced to her music, if you have ever seen someone dance to her music... then you must read this book. I wish i had read it years ago.

It' s called 'I Loved Your Voice' by Selim Nassib and its written as if by the poet, Ahmed Rami, who wrote 137 of the 283 songs she sang.

The book is a love story, of Rami's Love for 'his Diva' and a story of Egypt, the people and the politics, the hopes and dreams.

It talks in detail of her fued with Mohammed Abdel Wahab and of their later reconciliation. It also talks of the other great poets and composers of the time, Qsabji, Ahmed Shawqi (The Emir of Poets), Da'ud Husni and many more. Her relationships with the heads of state and the press, and the people are detialed, yet all take a back seat to her relationship with love and music. She was brought up to believe she was special, chosen by God.... and it influenced everything she did, everything she sang.

Om Kalthoum is written about in this book with such respect, reverance and admiration, almost awe, that it has really made me rethink how i could ever dance to her music! Her Compositions are by far my favourite music to dance to. Now I am pulled in 2 directions.... How can i ever hope to convey from my dance even a percentage of what each song meant to her and to her country when she sang them? on the other hand, how can i not try?

The way her concert is described in the book when she performs Enta Omri (my all time favourite song) had me literally in tears reading it. I can't even begin to imagine what it must have been like to actually be in that audience!

It's an emotional, compulsive read . 'Unputdownable' ( a word i made up as a young child and which the teachers couldn't fault me for when I used it in book reports in school!)

In fact it was so well written I'm going to check out other books by the same author, because although it was the subject matter that really enthralled me, it was the writing style that made it a pleasure to read rather than a history lesson!

I seldom read a book more than once...... no matter how much I enjoy it... but this is a book I feel I will come back to again very soon, to enjoy and to study in more depth.

The sunflowers have nothing to do with the book... but they make me feel happy... i have 2 big bunches of them in my flat..... they are so cheap to buy here and make me smile just by looking at them so i wanted to include a photo here so they can make you feel happy too!

Flat hunting in Cairo and 'Cable guy'

Despite feeling lousy with a cold i decided i needed to get out the house this morning and went round with a friend of mine who was flat hunting.

The 1st laugh was when we tried to direct a taxi downtown. The problem being... I have totally lost my voice so couldn't direct the driver, my friend doesn't have arabic so the pronunciation was slightly off and the driver was totally deaf!!!!!! To crown it all- he took one look at us 'tourists?!!!' and made the automatic assumption that we weren't saying 'Babaloq', we were actually saying 'khan el Khalili' ! Because of course where else in this city would we want to go anyway? If it hadn't been so funny I might have strangled him (joking!)

4 different estate agents, 4 flats later... nothing yet- but more to see tomorrow. It's hard looking when you know that the prices get hiked up for foreigners. Frustrating.

The other thing is that the landlords are not satisfied with demanding silly high rent prices from you- they also feel they have a right to tell you how to live your life within 'their' flat you are paying so much for. I'm not just talking no pets, no smokers here.... (of course- no one would ever DREAM of saying not to smoke- unfortunately!!!) the main one is 'no Egyptians'. One landlord didn't like his last tenents (french) because they were couples. ie settled, quiet people who got on with their own lives, but since they were unmarried he decided this wasn't right. Thats when both people in the relationship are foreigners- if one of them happens to be Egyptian- then it is a definite no-no!

Oh- and my internet is fixed!!!!!! At long last!
I have been running about chasing the internet company for weeks,
and weeks
phoning,
texting,
visiting their office,
for weeks and weeks,
who eventually sent me to the phone company,
who i called and called
and had friends call on my behalf,
who sent a technician and said all was working and it wasn't,
so I went back to the phone company, who were supposed to send another technician out,
but didn't.
anyway- you get my point- it's been a drama!.....

In the end, I mentioned to the bowab that someone was supposed to come from the phone company and he said why? The local guy, who's sole job is to cycle around with telephone wire on his back and fix peoples phones easily and cheaply, comes by everyday. i only had to say! Grrrr. The things that you dont know from not having grown up in an area! Anyway- this 'cable guy' we'll call him for the sake of it, came round today and fitted a new cable for me all in less that 15 mins and everything, phone line and internet, has been hunky dory ever since! ( 'Imsick Hashaab'! 'Touch wood' ). I gave him 50le for doing the job, because he refused to quote me a price and said he'd be happy with whatever I gave him, and so he was and went off happy. That made 2 of us (3 if you include my current guest too, 4 or 5 if you include the friends I have been complaining to about it for over a month!!!!)

Nothing is easy in this city..... but nothing is boring either!

Sunshine and snow

Seemingly it has started to snow again in Scotland... however, thankfully all is sunny here in Cairo!!!!

I'm heading to Scotland in March for 3 weeks.... and hope to be teaching some workshops there..... the plan is Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee....... will keep you posted on details as soon as all is confirmed! Contact me NOW if you are in Scotland and would like to host workshops in some other city!!! The Great Scottish tour- also known as- a fabulous way for me to get to see all my friends all around the country!!!

Meanwhile, here in Cairo I have getting much joy from watering my plants of a morning. It's a really positive way to start the day. Could be doing without the cold I have, yet again (I blame air conditioning and having to work though a cold rather then rest as soon as it starts- thats been a week now- grr- getting bored drinking hot lemon!).

Waiting in for the man from the phone company to come round fix my phone line and therefore hopefully fix my internet connection. It works totally fine occasionally, like right now, but without rhyme or reason shuts down for hours at a time- especially in the evenings when other people are online too I guess. It's driving me slightly mad!

I had 4 shows with mainly American audiences yesterday- they were lovely (saga tours or something of that ilk!). My main concern just now is working out when to get my band together to rehearse my new 'emergance' or however you spell it- the entrance piece of music a dancer starts her set with. I am fed up with the one I am doing...have have been using it too long.... so fed up with it in fact that i forgot part of it yesterday my brain was so disconnected from it!!! Of course I improvised and did something completey new and different, and pretty good actually , if I say so myself, but my band were in stitches laughing at me because they could see my mind had gone completely blank!!!! hmm- new music to challenge and inspire me definitely needed! NOW !

The Nile Group Festival is on again now, they have a new one now in Feb. To be honest... Usually i get all excited about the festivals and look forward to them... but there just seems to be so many, all the same, that i am a little fed up with it. I am not saying that it won't be a fantastic festival- i am sure it will be- and I'll go in April- and for sure it will be fabulous.. but I need a break from this one. I have to say though that i am REALLY looking forward to the Farha Festival in Luxor in September, That is something completely different, in a new city, different teachers, and of course I'll be teaching and performing in it too....!

A recently was interviewed for a Russian bellydance magazine, and one of the questions asked me about my future plans........... well- stay here and keep dancing in Cairo is my answer. I feel so lucky to be here and having the life I have. I can truely say i am content for the first time really in my life. Too much in my past i have focused on the negatives, here I just find it a lot easier to focus on the positives. Yes i have bad days and good days... but overall.. i am very happy and feel blessed. Long may it last!