My Moment to Shine

So the time has come and I am getting ready for the Big Show. I'm putting on make and dressing in my new (spectacular) Turkish costume, and working very hard to quiet those ugly voices in my head that take pleasure in telling me that I'm too old, too fat, out of my league, blah, blah, blah. Like uninvited guests at a party, they arrive at the most inopportune time. I know they are ugly and useless, but they are LOUD. I trick the voices by deciding to think that Bill, Megan, Lizzy and all my students and friends will be in the audience cheering me on.

Although there's an AMAZING seven-piece Turkish band playing this eveing the performers must use CDs for their shows. Bummer. Although I don't like to dance to CD music, I do love the song I've chosen, Sheriham. I began choreographing it last summer for my dance company and recently re-choreographed it as my solo for this show.

While I love creating choreography, the only think I like less than performing to a CD...is performing choreography to a CD. I'm too easily distracted while on stage and anyway, how can I flirt with the audience when I'm trying to remember what my next sequence is? Some dancers excel at performing choreography but not me.

I run through my steps to refresh my memory, and soon I'm announced and on stage in the spotlight. Wow, the ballroom is full and the spotlight is is a little disorienting. I immediately and completely forget my choreography and do some intro steps while I try to remember what the heck I'm supposed to be doing. No luck. Then, I just start dancing, really dancing. No choreography, just improv. Song is beautiful and I'm having a great time. I spot a group of friends I've met from Japan and they are standing, clapping, while another of them is filming me. I go with the flow.

Leaving the stage, I'm completely unsure of myself. I don't really remember what I did but know it wasn't what I planned! Too bad, I had some really nice stuff worked into the choreography. :-) But the audience seems pleased, so that's good. As I leave the ballroom, heading upstairs to change, Fifi Ness chases after me, takes my face in her hands and says, in her thick accent, 'my dear, it was be-utiful. You have soul.' Then Elena was there telling me that she was so sorry she didn't get pictures, my dancing was 'elegant.' Today Serkan Tutar said 'Wow, I had no idea you were such a good dancer! (he must've seen me in class) Dancers have approached me all day saying the nicest things. I can't wait to see the DVD...I really have no idea what I did.

I'm getting all teary telling about it. Well, probably that and the fact that I was too excited to sleep. Lights off at 4:00 am, then up at 7:30 for today's classes.

I posted some photos on my Facebook page, and again, just wish you could be here to experience it all with me.

fondly,
Kanina

I'm Discovering New Parts of My Body...

...and mostly they're saying, what the hell do you think you're doing? HUH???? Places that I didn't know I had hurt. But wow, I feel GREAT!

It was a wonderful day!

Despite only 4 hours sleep, I was up at 7:30 to prepare for Yousry Sharif's 10 a.m. class. I really, really wanted to shower, stretch and eat before the day began. Luckily, Yousry also started us off with a proper warm-up. He's a terrific choreographer and a good, caring, teacher - very interested in making sure that you leave the class understanding what he's taught. Unfortunately, I'm a rotten student and can never learn the choreography while in class. Perhaps it makes me a better teacher because I can really empathize with students who struggle in class. I learn by watching and then practicing on my own. And I LOVE to watch Yousry dance. His Egyptian style is completely different than what I do and his choreography is exciting and fascinating. He comes alive when he dances (like all the greats do) and the crux is in his feel for the music. The class was heavily attended and I was happy to hang in the back.

Next class was with Fifi Ness. I had seen her on YouTube and fell in love with her style. She is earthy and soulful and this class was in Beledi. OMG, I felt like I was home. Unlike Yousry's, this class was very small, maybe 12 of us, so it was like having a private class with Fifi. She spoke no English and happily another student was able to translate for her when she needed help. She was very interested in us getting to 'feel' the music and took much time showing us hand and facial expressions and stressing the importance of emotion. She didn't do a choreography, rather, took us through various combinations. Right up my alley, since I can only remember three things at a time. I like dancing that way because I can really get into the music rather than worry about getting my feet in the right place.

My next class was supposed to be a veil fusion with Serkan, which I had been looking forward to. My knees and hips had a different idea. I think they were still pissed off about the 14 hour flight and didn't really like dancing on carpet anyway (all the ballrooms are carpeted), so I decided to be kind to my body and take a break. I'll take another class with Serkan tomorrow.

After break I took a class with Tamar bar-gil. Not realizing who she was, I had invited myself to breakfast at her table in the morning... it held a free chair and I didn't want to dine alone. She is somewhat reserved and doesn't speak much English, so I wasn't sure if I was intruding. Nonetheless, she was pleasant and quite beautiful with a long thick mane of curly hair. I was surprised to find, when arriving to class, that she was the teacher. And what a good teacher! Again it was a small but enthusiastic group, very much like a semi-private class. As I said, she speaks little English but was able to communicate clearly what she wanted. What a beautiful, sensual dancer! The class was in 'romantic' dance with much arm, hand and sensous hips. It was fun, fulfilling, and I learned many new ways to move. It was misnamed, though. It should have been called sexy dance; it was just beautiful to see and do.

With only three hours before my show I headed to the whirlpool and steam room to rejuvinate.

What A Day!!

I should be sleeping, but I just can't...I think I'll need lot's of help from you students in class next week!

Last night was the grand opening/Gala event. Like all Arabic/Turkish events...it started late. About 90 minutes late. Though, I think we should give the exhausted organizers a break...I heard that the hotel double-booked the ballroom, so Simone Guzman and her staff did superhuman work to pull it off. Anyway, when I worked in Arabic clubs all the time, starting late was the norm. If they said my show was at 9:00, it was at 10:30. Since I am often on 'Arabic time' myself, that worked well for me. :-) But it's been a while, so it took me by surprise. Back then, 90 minutes late felt right at home. Now, being 20 years older, midnight just doesn't have the same appeal, and I had to leave before all of the performers took the stage. Old age sucks. :-)

Of course, they saved the best till last...except Elena...who opened the show in her own elegant inimitable way... so I missed Yousry, Fifi Ness and Sergan Tutar. But given the caliber of the previous performers, I didn't feel cheated. The shows I did see were wonderful. Each instructor was spectacular in her/his own special way and my excitement for today's classes grew.

I've been meeting dancers from all over the world. Japan, Russia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Turkey (of course), Israel, Singapore, Belgium and Australia. Some I can converse with, others not. But all are very friendly and we're exchanging pictures and Facebook addresses. I had dinner with two Belgian students last night who study with Serkan Tutar - who later joined us. He is VERY nice, down-to-earth and welcoming. You'd never know he is a star. He mentioned having butterflies before his show and, selfishly, I felt better about mine. ;-/

Despite leaving the Gala early, sleep eluded me and my own butterflies have already arrived. I am apparently the only American here so I feel that if I don't do well it's not just a reflection on me but on all American dancers. (Boy, I really need to do something about my ego.)

More tomorrow...

Love,
Kanina

Highs & Lows of being in a new country

In our hotel, the room door opens in, not out. I discovered this yesterday when I was unable to re-enter my room and was, of course, in a hurry. The door unlocked, the handle turned, but no matter how much I pulled, the door wouldn't open. Hotel security finially arrived to save the day and voila, one push and it was opened. Boy, did I feel dumb! Memo to self: Push not Pull. (P.S...I've been here 3 days now; I'm still pulling).

Upon arriving at the hotel on Wednesday, I paid for 6 hours of interned use, 18 euro, figuring that's how much time I'd spend durng my stay. I blogged for about 30 minutes. Yesterday I was unable to access the internet. As it turns out...my 6 hours started the minute I purchased service and expired six hours later. There's a lot to learn in a new country!

I spent yesterday afternoon in old Istanbul and visited Sultanhamet, the famed Blue Mosque. Visitors from around the world gather there...but what i really wanted was the whole place to myself. Inside it is cavernous with incredible arches, tile-work and intricately painted designs. Despite the crowds, it felt intimate yet at the same time expansive (of spirit).

Shortly after leaving I heard the meuzzin call to prayer that was broadcast by loudspeaker throughout the area from the minaret. It was beautiful. This is done 5 times a day and is calculated according to the movement of the sun, so it's never exactly the same time. The idea is that there is a prayer being said throughout the world at all times. I like the thought of taking a moment five times a day to reflect on what we are doing. It seems a good way of puting life into perspective.

Disaster Averted

Disaster Averted

There’s a saying that Sailing is hours of bliss interrupted by moments of sheer panic. Kind of like flying.

We arrived at PVD last night to find that my flight, the last one from Providence to DC, was canceled. Mechanical problems. I would not make my connecting flight to Frankfurt or go on to Istanbul. The male counter clerk was kindly and sympathetic but nothing could be done, my trip would be delayed, by the very least, a day.

He then turned me over to Lauren (later known as Super-Lauren) to re-book me. Hey, says Lauren, there’s a flight leaving now for Chicago and I can connect you directly from there to Istanbul. Wow! Leave it to a women to think outside of the box.
So, Chicago or Bust. Getting from O’Hare’s National to International terminals and through security again takes almost two hours. I was wearing my Shape Up RI pedometer and really racked up the steps…about 1.5 miles. There's a beautiful connecting tunnel between the terminals, almost psychedellic, with streamers of overhead neon lights contrasted by undulating walls of translucent muted glass. Enjoying the view,I took my time, since I had almost 3 hours of layover.

Going through security again was another story and turned out to be a nerve-wracking cattle call--probably exacerbated since it was 9:00 and I hadn’t eaten since noon. No matter, I figured I’d enjoy a meal once I checked in. When I finally arrived at Turkish airlines my new BFF Super-Lauren fell from grace. She had issued me a boarding pass but no ticket. No ticket = no seat. Basically, when Lauren booked it she hadn’t said that United would ‘pay’ for the ticket, and I wasn’t boarding unless someone paid…and, said the clerk, it’s kind of late to get this resolved but I’ll try. Normally I’d find the nearest bar/restaurant and ply myself with a nice wine and some desperately needed food while waiting to hear about something I had no control over…but the International terminal has no restaurants or bars. So I did the next best thing and called Bill who tried to cheer me up. He did cheer me, but what REALLY cheered me was the Turkish reservation clerk telling me that all was resolved.

Turkish Airlines - If you’re going anywhere…Fly Turkish Airlines, even if your flying Providence to Boston. :-) The plane is beautiful with large roomy seats and lots of leg room. There’s a little TV screen and remote for each passenger and you can select from news, about 20 different movies and all types of music from Classical to Turkish to Turkish Classical to pop…the list goes on and on. The staff never stopped working during our 11 hour flight. They gave each passenger a 'goodie bag' that held warm sox, an eye cover for sleeping, a travel toothbrush with a tiny toothpaste, and even a set of ear plugs. Food was plentiful and yummy and I ate everything including a fresh, crispy salad, marinated beans, nicely done fish and a real French roll. Did I mention that wine is free? Yippee. The only drawback to the flight, and this seems to be all flights these days, were the many, excitable tykes traveling wih their parents. They loved flying and shrieked with joy (or something else) at all hours, 2 a.m….3 a.m…4 a.m…and every minute in between. Turkish Airlines showed great forethought by giving us earplugs. There were some problems with the heat in our area and while I was sleeping the attendant came by and covered me with two more blankets. What a nice trip!

O'Hare could take a page from Istantbul's airport. Like O'Hare, it's beautiful and clean. Unlike O'Hare, it's well organized with lots of clear signage and TONS of friendly personnel to help any traveller who looks confused...i.e., me. People were so nice and before long I arrived at the Sheraton Atakoy (pronounced Atakay). I was taken by surprise, though I suppose I should't have been, when my taxi approached a checkpoint at the entrance and a guard stepped out, wanded our taxi for explosives, and checked the trunk and my luggage for the same. Perhaps this is the norm at high-end tourist hotels now. I don't expect to be looked at twice when I transfer to the low-budget hotel on Monday. :-)


My hotel room is beyond spectacular! Wow!!! I'm on the 9th floor with huge bay windows that overlook the Bosphorous. It's just beautiful and for a few days I'll be in the lap of luxury.

Sightseeing tomorrow and I'll begin meeting dancers from around the world as they arrive for our opening night Gala. I wish you were all her with me.

More tomorrow.

What Was I Thinking?

Going to Istanbul at the height of recital season....what was I thinking??? Costumes to order, choreography to finish, dress rehearsals to plan...classes to cover. Oooof! Most is done and the rest will wait till I return.

Tonight I start packing. Since I plan to spend a whole day shopping in Istanbul's famed bazaar, I'm trying to leave lots of room in my suitcase for the glittery trip home. Wanting to respect Turkey's Muslim culture, I bought a long, lightweight skirt to wear when I'm out and about. Yesterday, when the sun was shining, I realized that you can see right through it! So much for modesty.

Iceland's volcanic ash didn't mess with me after all. I confirmed my flights and all is on schedule. Looking forward to the 15 hours of travel before arriving at Turkish Delight, Istanbul.