May 8 - approx 7pm
Yup, there’s belly dancin in Beckley, WV.
At first it was a call to a friend of a friend. Judy Cunningham in Sedalia, MO said I should call Alexandria in Beckley. One thing led to another, and it seem she’s been following my carreer for the past 5 years or so.

No way, really?!?
Me?!?

So we make a deal. Hey, I didn’t figure it was a big town. It’s Beckley. I tell people who don’t know anything about belly dance that I’m going there and they say, “Beckley?!?”

So here I am at the airport, awaiting my flight. Got my first class upgrade to head cross country, then take a regional back to WV. Should be interesting. Oh, first class? With all that travel I do, I’m Executive Platinum on American Airlines. Usually means that if there’s a weather delay or problem, I’m one of the first people they take care of. Definitely a plus.

But yeah: Free first class upgrades. It’s a perk.
Read the rest of this entry »

Oh my — this is going to be insane.
Just got off the phone with Princess Farhana. For those of you who aren’t aware, we’re going to Cairo together.

Not for a festival, not for a tour, just to hang out and absorb. Well, and shop for costumes and take private lessons. The usual.

So we’re planning on visiting our friend Astryd (www.DanceAstryd.com) and hanging out with some of Princess Farhana’s friends. You see, she’s been there before. I’m the only one getting his…erm…’Cairo cherry’ popped. LOL

So, we’re making our plans. Checking in and out of hotels, because we want to stay someplace plush the first few days, then cheaper for the rest of the trip.

It’s panning out to be an insane time. I’m SO not prepared for it.
Coming soon - I will have a Cairo phone number.
Be afraid!
(Yes, I’m already planning next year’s trip)

Of course, since we’re both friends with Ozgen, we’re thinking about getting him to take us around Istanbul.
Now THAT would be three wild and crazy people!
(You know what I’m talkin bout)

Helena, MT
Beyoootiful valley surrounded by snowcapped mountains and a harrowing regional turbo-prop flight through stomach wrenching turbulance.