The kindness of strangers

I am low energy, so this will be brief.

I would grade my medical experience here a C-. I came through the surgery better than I ever expected, but there have been so many lies/screw-ups/complications in the organizational end, it's been stressful.

I would give India an A. It would be A+ if the monsoons hadn't hit 3 weeks early. I've met so many warm, gracious, friendly people. I don't know how many times 5 minutes into a conversation someone has said "Come to my house. Meet my children. I will make you dinner."

The night we arrived Marty met Dhruv. He's been practically living at the hospital for months because his dad has a blood clot in his brain. Dhruv is intelligent and articulate and has gone far out of his way to help us figure out things like the phone system. He's also made it his mission to teach Marty all about India, culture & politics. Dhruv's mother speaks very little english but is very sweet. When I was still in hospital she came to see me every day, saying things I couldn't understand with a big sweet smile and giving me kisses. She insisted we all take a picture when I checked out so she could remember us. So many people have been equally kind!

We fly home tonight. This is a fascinating, exhausting place. It will be good to be home.

Come to the show!!

Tickets at www.bellyfringe.ca, or from me in person.

It's going to be so much fun!!

January Tribal Classes!

Registration is open for Tribal Classes with BC's only Gypsy Caravan/FCBD General Skills Certified Teacher!

Next 11 week set starts Tuesday January 8th, 2008
6:30-7:30 Introduction to Tribal Bellydance
7:30-8:30 Level II Tribal Bellydance
(Students should be comfortable with level one material before progressing to the next level)

Kensington Community Centre
37th and Knight St., Vancouver BC
Drop in or Full Session

Phone: 604.718.6200 for Info/Registration
www.bellybellyhip.ca

FINALLY!!!

Now that the civic strike is over, we can get back to work!!

Tribal Classes with BC's only Gypsy Caravan Certified Teacher!

A shorter 6 week set starts Tuesday November 6th, 2007
6:30-7:30 Introduction to Tribal Bellydance
7:30-8:30 Level II Tribal Bellydance
(Students should be comfortable with level one material before progressing to the next level)

Kensington Community Centre
37th and Knight St., Vancouver BC
Drop in or Full Session

Phone: 604.718.6200 for Info/Registration
www.bellybellyhip.ca

The College Hostel...

What I liked about staying there:

*Close to the Dark Side studio, less than a block
*Cheaper by half than anything else available
*In delightful Kensington, which I got to cruise around a bunch
*Marty poked at my poor sore muscles every night

What I didn't like:

*The nightclub directly below our room which kept partiers on the street till 4 or so most nights
*8, count'em 8 heavy doors between the street and our room
*Only 1 room key available for the entire stay
*The office didn't open until 11AM everyday to make it super hard to get the key deposit back
*Stained carpets, ripped bedclothes, unidentifiable stains on the closet doors, etc...
*No A/C, just a fan...and opening the window meant listening to the partiers, closing it meant sleeping in a sauna
*Having our room invaded by wildlife not once but twice...stole my high-quality chocolate on Friday, cleaned off a nectaring pit (on the bed, ewww) on Sunday
*One of the other workshop participants also stayed there and found bugs in her bed, slept in her chair for 2 1/2 nights

Adding up the plusses and minusses, it was an adventure but I'll probably stay somewhere else next time!

Day One...

Well my arms didn't give out yet!

Sooo great to go over all the stuff with The Carolena Herself, in lots of glowing detail.

And meet lots of great dancers from all over the place!!

I'll write again tomorrow (if I can still lift the arms...)

Leaving, on a jet plane...

To Toronto tomorrow to do the GS training!

And meet dancers from all over the place, and have fun, and pain, and learn lots!

Yay!!

Fall Tribal with Tonje!!

Tribal Classes with BC's only Gypsy Caravan Certified Teacher!

Next 10 week set starts Tuesday September 18th, 2007
6:30-7:30 Introduction to Tribal Bellydance
7:30-8:30 Level II Tribal Bellydance
(Students should be comfortable with level one material before progressing to the next level)

Kensington Community Centre
37th and Knight St., Vancouver BC
Drop in or Full Session

Phone: 604.718.6200 for Info/Registration
www.bellybellyhip.ca

Note: the start date may be delayed pending resolution of the current city labour dispute...

Belly Belly Hip Road Trip!

TRIBAL WORKSHOP
Sat, July 14th, 9:30am-12:30 pm
Instructor: Tonje of Belly Belly Hip,
assisted by Belly Belly Hip troupe members
Details at getbentyogaandbellydancing.com
Cost: $40

LAYERING & COMBOS
Sat, July 14th, 1:15-2:45 pm
Instructor: Wendy of Get Bent
Cost: $30
Register for both workshops at Get Bent:
250-462-1025 or getbentyogaandbellydancing.com

Belly Dance Performance/Fundraiser
featuring the
GET BENT BELLY DANCERS
& special guests
Vancouver tribal dancers
BELLY BELLY HIP
at the Art Gallery of the South Okanagan
Sat, July 14th
Doors 7pm, Show 7:30-9pm
Tickets: $12 at Get Bent