Bellydancing in Mexico

This is a long overdue post about my fantastic trip to Mexico City, where I experienced the generous hospitality of Sharid Sana, fellow bellydancer and Mexico City native.

February 28^th, 2009

We arrived in Mexico City to be greeted by Sharid Saná and her boyfriend. It was such a joy and relief to see the big pink sign with my name on it. I literally jumped for joy. Sharid could not be a nicer person, and although we were stuck in traffic for an hour and a half, she was very good-natured and we talked about bellydance most of the way, talking about teachers we've taken with and workshops we've attended. I had made up a little present of the By Dancers for Dancers 4 DVD, and I was thrilled that she didn't own it already.

Alli and I caught up on some sleep; then Sharid picked us up for the evening. I knew we were going to a Lebanese restaurant, the first one she danced at, and the one she considers to be like a family – the way I feel about the Middle East Restaurant. I did not know that in two days she had put together a hafli! She invited some of the best dancers in Mexico City to perform along with the members of her two troupes. The restaurant, Al Andalus, is beautifully appointed with a marble floor, tiled walls, high ceilings and lots of plants. Any of us would be so lucky to dance in such a place. And their food was top-notch, some of the best Lebanese food I've had – particularly the kibbe.

I was so honored by the surprise, and of course so happy to be enjoying Arabic music and dance. Some of the dancers used Latin music, and one even danced to the Pink Panther. All had a lot of personality, and her students are a credit to her. One of my favorites was a special guest, who danced an authentic Raks Assaya. I also enjoyed the duo dancing sha'abi style to El Toto Nai (heck, I sang along.) Particularly impressive was her student Hana Malak, who has studied for only two years but shows incredible virtuosity in this art form.

To complete the amazing surprise, Sharid did a 5-part routine. She opened her set playing zills while swirling a silk veil, the topic of her workshop where I met her in Las Vegas. Then, she performed a double-sword piece to fast music, another impressive feat. The next piece I think was an Arabic pop song, complete with lip-synching and gestures – very charming. I think it started out going "la la la la" (la means no in Arabic), so she was shaking her finger No. I loved that! Then the drum solo – all I can say is that this woman is equal to Jillina. All in all the show was simply amazing – I had only seen Sharid dance to one song (E Hantour) in Vegas – but I remember it was one of my favorites of the whole evening. Tonight I was just in awe.

Another thing that awed me – the friendliness of everyone. All the performers came over to greet me after the show, and I was also seated with some other friends and students of Sharid. To some levels of success, we chatted in a mixture of Spanish and English – mostly Spanish and I tried to express myself – again, to varying levels of success. I just don't have the fluency, to know the words I want to use. Trying to remember the word for Eggplant in Spanish (to describe Baba Ghanoush to another woman who had not had Lebanese food before) left me speechless. Eventually I found myself describing the "a big purple vegetable", it was the best I could do.

Alli was practicing her Spanish too and I was pleased to see her try to talk to people, with the few words she knows. I just love that she is learning Spanish too. I envision many more trips to Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries where we will get better and better at speaking Spanish, and taking our kid with us too to also become bilingual. Besides, I already love Mexico and I would love to come here again and again.

After the show and the meal, we sampled some of the delicious desserts offered by Al Andalus in their bakery. To my surprise, as guests of Sharid, we received our little dessert box as a gift. We met the owners of the restaurant, and I had to remember that they probably speak Arabic and Spanish, not Arabic and English as I've come to expect – so I did get a chance to use my Arabic as well. The honey balls, which I had not seen before, were delicious. I also had a pistachio filled roll and baklava. I wish the Middle East back in Boston did more Lebanese desserts.

Mexico City is a beautiful, tree-filled city. The air pollution has been over-rated – it is perfectly easy to breathe here (unlike Cairo or Agra). Some avenues are lined with tree-shaded walkways in their center, and the old buildings in the colonia roma where we are staying are charming. The traffic however is miserable – I am glad we do not have to drive here.

Today we are going to go out with Sharid on the turibus, visiting the centro, and then Coyoacan and San Angel. Whatever we do, I know it's going to be fun.