I recently had the incredible opportunity to travel and share my love of belly dance with an international audience. During the summer of 2006, I was hired to travel to Bali, Indonesia; Tasmania, Australia; Taipei, Taiwan; and Cairo, Egypt to teach and perform Egyptian and Tribal Style dance. What an adventure! It was an experience in itself to visit each of these beautiful and totally unique countries... and on top of that to be a part of the spread of this incredible art form to the far-reaches of the planet. The entire journey was one of wonder, joy, and plenty of introspection (amazing what those 10+ hour flights alone will do to your brain!) I felt an immediate bond with all of my students - my global sisters in dance. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some photos and thoughts from my trip, and to thank those who shared the dance with me.
click on the photos for larger image
The Tamar River near ExeterMay 18th, 2006:
Second stop: TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA (MAY 18-23)
OH MY GOD TASMANIA! What a beautiful place... I'm not even sure where to begin except by saying that despite even the cities being tiny and very rural (70,000 in Launceston) I would LOVE to live there. The vistas were incredible - rolling hills and the sparkling Tamar River Valley, beautiful plains and majestic mountains just an hour away. Zahira and Raymond are my gracious hosts, and they are there at the airport when I land and quickly realize that it is WINTER here! Once I get used to the cold, the accent, and understand that Tasmania is said "Tazzie", "tea" means "dinner", "lemonade" means "Sprite" and "fancy a cuppah" means "would you like a hot drink?" I am ready to explore this wonderful place!
Kookaburra
Koala
Wombat
The famous Tassie DevilTassie was like a grand safari for me! I saw so many exotic animals, including kangaroos, albino wallabies, wombats, platypuses (platypie?), echidnas, koalas, white opossums, and - of course - the famous Tasmanian Devil! At one point, I even have three kangaroos eating out of my hand!
I am dismayed to find out that the Tassie Devil is slowly going extinct. The have recently been developing a mysterious facial tumor and have been starving to death because of it. The wildlife park I visited is raising them in captivity in attempts to keep them alive until they can find a cure...
Feeding the Wallabies
Cataract GorgeFriday we take a boat cruise into Cataract Gorge (the valley where everyone needs glasses!) I am impressed by the incredible nature preservation at work here in Tassie. I've heard actually that over 75% of the island is a nature preserve...
That night it's the floor show. Performers from around the island come out for a night of music, dance, drinks and nibblies, hosted by Zahira. The show reminded me so much of the haflas back home - it felt great to be so far away from home, yet to feel so comfortable in such a familiar setting. Belly dance is truly a universal language.
Classes take up most of the day on Saturday and Sunday - I share some Urban Gypsy moves and skirt work with the Aussie dancers, and teach them my newest choreography "Ali". The workshop participants are absolutely wonderful, and we spend Saturday evening talking and joking over Chinese food. I even learn a few Ethnic Tassie dance steps - including the Tassie Two-Step (can't wait to use this one! ;)
A few of my Tassie students
Me!
Inside Cataract Gorge
Zahira and SahiraAfter the workshops on Sunday, I am treated to a walking tour of Cataract Gorge...this place is incredible. it's just outside Launceston and so green and hilly. The river that runs through it is dammed to provide electricity and wild peacocks run free everywhere! We cross a few intense suspension bridges and drive out of the gorge as the sun sets.
On Monday - my last day in Tassie - we visit a beautiful wildlife park about an hour from town. The drive there is stunning - the terrain starts off the lush green of the Tamar Valley then suddenly becomes something that reminds me of an African savannah. Gum trees dot the skyline and couple large mountains loom in the distance. I make a lot of new friends that day - all the animals at the park seem curious about the belly dancing Texan and come out to visit me.
We drive back into town for a delicious Indian dinner, and then off to bed - we leave for the airport at 4:30 am the next day...
NEXT STOP: TAIPEI, TAIWAN
FIRST STOP: BALI, INDONESIA
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