Thread: Anyone coming to Orlando for Orit workshop?

Just wondering if any of you are coming to O-town for Orit Maftsir and Aziza workshop in August.

I live nearby so I'm doing the four-day workshop.

I'm coming, I'm coming! I'm sooooo excited to have a chance to even SEE Orit live, never mind studying with her for whole days. It's my one big event this year.

I am coming for at least the Thurs and Fri Orit workshops and Fri show.... then off to explore the rest of Orlando with the peeps!! :)

Awesome. I'm pretty sure you will have lots of fun here. Are you planning to visit anywhere in specific? We have so much to do. I guess it's kind of crazy to figure out which one. By the way, if you're into the night scene, they're closing down Pleasure Island for good so you might want to visit that before it's history. They're going to remodel the whole place.

But it will be worth the sweat and pain to learn from Aziza and Orit.

Coming with a six and a three year old, so nightlife probably isn't an issue, but thanks! We are going to stay at Cape Canaveral for three days and do the whole space station / Indian River thing. We might make it to Disney World, but I looked at the map and was surprised to see that the park looks exactly the same as Disneyland. So we may just do Gatorland and Epcot while in Orlando...then go off to explore the universe at large. ;)

Oh, God, no. Don't do Gatorland! Have you ever been? If you have, then you know what you're in for. If you haven't, by all means, keep your money. It's such a waste of time. Epcot will be good, even with the kids. Disney World's crap, if you ask me. I've been a million times and would never pay to get in - my dad works there so if we're ever bored we go to the theme parks. Sea World's the best, by far. And they just opened up Aquatica. Some of my friends say it's the best water park now, which says a lot since we have three major ones.

Have fun exploring!

What's wrong with Gatorland?? Both kids loved the idea...but I'll take your word for it if it's not worth it. Details, please! We have SeaWorld 'round here too, and it looks like the layout is pretty much the same, but since it's walking distance from the hotel I think the boys will be heading there while I'm hanging with you guys and Orit. ;)

i'm coming!!! with the boyfriend (he's joning on saturday), and staying on a whole extra week (but probably traveling to miami as well in that week)

all sight seeing trips appreciated

what's wrong with gatorland?

I'm not going to be able to make it.....cr.: though I have a couple of friends who are travelling from Costa Rica to be there. Yes, I AM envious! I admit it
Another friend, Sedona will also be there and will be dancing in the show with her troupe. You guys can't miss her! She's one of the most amazing dancers I've ever seen. They won best troupe category this year in the Bellydancer of the Year Competition!

Regards
Priscilla

Ladies,

What's wrong with Gatorland? You ask. LOL. Have you ever watched a gator? I'm sorry this is so off topic here...but I just have to say that gators are very still creatures. They freeze into position for hours. Sometimes the growl a little bit when they're being territorial or they make a creaking noise. You might as well go to a local lake, pull up a chair, and wait.

The "coolest" thing at Gatorland is when a ten-foot gator jumps from the water and snaps a peace of steak from a line. Of course, you realize it might also be your hand they're trying to steal a bite from...

I guess I'm being cynical. I'm a native Floridian so they're not a novelty them being in our lovely lakes and all. They're dull as dull can be as long as they're not sneaking into your open garage at night (not a wise idea).

But, hey, I guess it's just one of those touristy places that sucks money without actually providing entertainment. Maybe we're just a tough audience in Central Florida.

My last cynical comment: I was kind of hoping they wouldn't re-open when it burned down. But they did.

Hey, enjoy! I did have a good laugh.

I'll keep my eyes open for your friend and her troupe. Do you happen to know their name and which night they're performing?

Yes! They are Raks Awalim. Not sure which night they're performing though.
This is them....

Raks Awalim - Home

Regards
Priscilla

Originally Posted by Mayliz

I'll keep my eyes open for your friend and her troupe. Do you happen to know their name and which night they're performing?

They're absolutely lovely. I wish they had a video to watch online. I guess I'll have to wait to see them LIVE.

Thanks!

hi everybody... i'm new here... but i'm coming too!
i'll be moving to florida (from italy) the week before the workshop... right on time! can't wait to meet all of you!

Yay! More people coming.

That's awesome that you're moving the same week, Lori, though I can imagine it will be a hectic week for you. Where in Florida are you moving to?

We need to have a Bhuz meet up. ,r:;

Originally Posted by Mayliz

Yay! More people coming.

That's awesome that you're moving the same week, Lori, though I can imagine it will be a hectic week for you. Where in Florida are you moving to?

We need to have a Bhuz meet up. ,r:;

Yeah, i'm sure it's gonna be tough, but i love Aziza and I can't miss the chance to study with Orit! And the show.... I can't wait!
I'm moving to Miami... a Bhuz meet up is what I'm hoping for! ..g.:

I HAVE to be there. Money is tight with some unexpected bills, but so much baladi. How can I miss it? Have you seen the lineup of dancers in the two shows? The workshop instructors, of course, Orit, Aziza, Gina, Myra K. PLUS headliners like DaVid, Aradia, Bahaia, Artemesia, Tina Sargent, Elisagamal, and tons of others. I am going to find a way to do this. Brown bag lunches all year.

I can't wait, I'm performing, and this is such a great deal, how can anyone pass it up, plus it's time we get something new here! Not that I don't love our Egyptian teachers that come here, but I'm excited to have something new and fresh to add to my dance repertoire!!

Originally Posted by loribelly

Yeah, i'm sure it's gonna be tough, but i love Aziza and I can't miss the chance to study with Orit! And the show.... I can't wait!
I'm moving to Miami... a Bhuz meet up is what I'm hoping for! ..g.:

Lory,

By any chance, are you going to the Miami Bellydance Convention when you move?

M

I'm planning to go to Orlando, too, since I'll be in Gainesville all of August, which is just a quick bus trip. And I know absolutely no one in Orlando, so I'd love to meet some fellow Bhuz people!

Regarding the watching of alligators, I have never been to Gatorland so I have no opinion on it. But I have seen many alligators in their natural habitat, for which no admission fee is charged, and I can tell you that if you are willing to take a little nature walk, it is a very rewarding experience. I don't know if this is possible in Orlando, but in Gainesville, you can simply walk, bike, or drive out to a place called Lachua Trail, and see the gators hanging out in the sinkhole, and in the nearby river. You will also see many beautiful waterbirds and other creatures. Or you can go to Payne's Prairie, nearby, for same. Or simply park yourself on a bench in front of Lake Alice, on the UF campus. As Mayliz said. Park yourself on a bench near a lake, you're all set. The thing about those gators is, yeah, they move slowly (one hopes), and they often don't move at all, but seeing them is still a surreal and intimidating experience. It's like looking backwards millions of years in time, to an old life form that has been on this planet for a long time. I especially loved seeing them on the Lachua trail, but that was also the most frightening, because the gators in that sinkhole were HUGE suckers. And there were a couple of kids throwing rocks at them. Which, I don't think I need to say, is a terrible idea. At least then it was winter so they were extra slow.

- Leela

Nasila - I love gatorland! My mom lived in Orlando for years so I have been all over that place! Go to gatorland and feed them gators some hotdogs! You can even hold one. eeeeewww!
I am also going to the Orit workshop....in my dreams.

Also you should go to the giant Disney Zoo. Can't remember what it's called but they have that awesome naked african mole rat exhibit and all the animals are in wonderful habitats. Totally miss disneyland - super yawn!

Originally Posted by Mayliz

Lory,

By any chance, are you going to the Miami Bellydance Convention when you move?

M

i'm not sure yet, but i hope so! will you be there?

Originally Posted by eshtabellydance

Also you should go to the giant Disney Zoo. Can't remember what it's called but they have that awesome naked african mole rat exhibit and all the animals are in wonderful habitats.

Do you mean Disney's Animal Kingdom? or is there a zoo too?

I'll try to bring you back some Orit essence! :)

Originally Posted by flimflamgirl

I'm planning to go to Orlando, too, since I'll be in Gainesville all of August, which is just a quick bus trip. And I know absolutely no one in Orlando, so I'd love to meet some fellow Bhuz people!


- Leela

Leela,

Hogtown is just a quick two hour interstate hop from Tally. Lets get together while you are there. I've been wanting to contact Libby Parker in G'ville about driving down for some privates in Ghawazee. Let me know the dates you are going to be there.

We have a new litter of puppies (an unexpected elopment) so I am not going to be able to do the entire Orlando weekend but am hoping that the hubby will take care of pups for 24 hours so that I can come down for a show and maybe, just maybe, Andrea will let me take one day of workshops with Orit.

PM me about your stay in G'ville.

Souzan

Anyone looking for a roommate for Thurs. - Sun. nights?

Ok. Who is counting down the days? I'm raising my hand. Nine more days. Who-hoo. I can't wait.

Same here! I was late to sign up, but have been dreaming about this workshop ever since I heard about it months ago.

Originally Posted by Mayliz

Ok. Who is counting down the days? I'm raising my hand. Nine more days. Who-hoo. I can't wait.

Originally Posted by kiyaana

Same here! I was late to sign up, but have been dreaming about this workshop ever since I heard about it months ago.

Dreaming is right. I'm so psyched I'm going to give myself a heart attack before it even happens.

Did you find a roommate?

Waiting to hear from Andrea . . .

Originally Posted by Mayliz

Did you find a roommate?