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Maja
"the Girl from the Nile"

Today as far away from the 9-to-5 world as I've ever been.  For three
days I've been immersed in a world of color, imagination, joy, and
dance.   Slow dances, fast dances, old dances, new dances.  It is both a
communal experience and an intensely personal experience.   I see dancers
I've trained with in the past, others that I recognize from workshops, but
most are unfamiliar faces.  Many I learn over these three days of
neverending classes and wandering among the tables laden with the latest
tribal tresures.  We share, we laugh, but mostly, we dance.

Friday, I take classes from Kamille, Sri Tarasita, Leila, Maja, and
Riz.  Each of these classes is quite wonderful, and I take away something
from each of them.   By the end of the day, my poor feet are sore and I'm a
little worried about lasting two more days.  The traditional dances of
Leila are especially tough on the feet.  I go to the little hotel on the
beach and meet my roommate.  We turn out to be quite compatible and I have
someone to share the experiences with.  We go back to the showroom and are
blown away by the performances.  I especially loved the Irish Lamb!  What a
treat this guy was, and yes, I said guy!  He did a double veil routine with
21, count them, 21 spins.  Then he goes to the back lets the covering he's
wearing drop to the ground slowly... revealing a bare upper body.  It was
quite effective!  His dance was wonderful, masculine, and he has mastered
shimmies/tremors.  The effect on the male anatomy is not something you see
everyday and it was a real treat.  The show ended with an incredible drum
ensemble from Orlando, one being Greywolf, and one being a tall African teacher
in impressive African garb who rallied everyone into some African
moves.  It was well done and had quite the feel of joy and celebration.

Afterwards we go to Opa's, where they are indeed dancing on the tables.  I
leave my roommate after a few minutes to return to the hotel to sleep.  The
cacophony of sound and crowds isn't my cup of tea, and the bed felt really
nice.  I needed sleep!!!!

The next morning, I woke up and my feet were still a bit sore.  Today I
took classes from Necholae, Leila, Zafira, and Unmata.  I sat out much of
the last two on behalf of my feet.  Fortunately, I had some awesome sandals
from Mesmera which help a lot.  I don't think I could have made it through
all three days without them.   Classes on this day were also quite
wonderful, and I have things from each that I will treasure.  Unmata had a
move they called a body roll, down to the ground and back up, which stands
out in my mind, and I will practice it.

The evening brings another set of awesome performances.  Several
performances are so unique, they seem to have little in common with
traditional belly dancing.  I'm not complaining!  Some of these dances I
enjoy the most.  The form is morphing into an extremely creative
outlet.   The costumes are so elaborate I don't recognize many of the
teachers until they do moves they taught in class!  There were three duets
characterized by very slow, very sensuous flexible movements, with
trademark backbends.  These were some of my favorites.  These are the
ladies who inspire me when I'm home alone in front of my mirror.

Then it was back to the hotel, where good food was served outside by the
pool.  I practically inhaled it!   By this time it's midnight, and I'm tore
between wanting to stay for the drumming and dancing that is soon to
follow, and wanting to get some sleep!  Sleep won!!!!   As the drums and
whooping started, I was afraid it might keep me awake, but the drums were
like a lullaby, and the sounds of people having fun barely wafted through
my consciousness as I drifted off to sleep.

Sunday I took classes from Miguelangel, Atash Maya, Kami Liddle, and
Kassar.  These were actually my favorite 4 classes of the entire
weekend.   Atash Maya is my favorite hands down.  They had a slow motion
choreography incorporating Thai warrior poses with taxim movements.  It was
beautiful and I hope I can remember it closely enough to continue to
practice it.   Kassar taught a slow and sensuous floorwork choreography
which made me really glad to have kneepads and socks!  But with this
protection, the movements were quite lovely and beautiful.  Miguelangel is
a male Flamenco dancer, and from this class I learned some unique ways to
do turns which I'm excited about practicing.   Kami taught a Bhangra class
which I was suprised I liked since it's a high impact, high energy dance,
but it was so much fun that I ordered a dvd when I got home to practice for
much-needed cardio workout!

So now I'm home, and my feet made it through fine, and I'm feeling so
enriched and dreamy.  I feel like I'm living in a wonderful world, and I'm
feeling like a dancer!  Thank you Maja!  FROM NANCY SMITH