Bellydancing in Istanbul

Yes, I went to a bellydancing show last night. The dancer was reasonably good, but she didn't dance in the way that I expected, based on bellydancing I've seen in movies and such.

And yes, I was beckoned to the floor and I danced. I kept my shirt on, unlike the men that were beckoned. It was pretty cool, and not too embarassing as 1. I was able to mimic her dancing to a reasonable degree and not look entirely foolish, and 2. the club was populated almost entirely by hostelers. Eventually, many of us were just dancing since it was a club, and only nominally 'bellydancing'.

I want to buy some bellydancing music. A woman I used to work with once mentioned a friend of hers was trying to get her to take a bellydancing class, and since she mentioned it, it's always been in the back of my mind as something that I think would be really cool to do.

Anyway. Today, went to the Grand Bazaar. Oh, such a Shopping Mecca! Over 4000 shops and booths. I bought a couple small things and will definitely be going back and thus testing the capacity of my beloved backpack. If only I could be in Istanbul *after* lightening my backpack in London (this will happen in a couple weeks)!!! Though, I have seen DHL offices here...

Aside from the pollution being pretty vicious here -- under 24 hours and I already have a sore throat from the poor air quality -- I think I need to get out of here before I end up buying the biggest suitcase in the bazaar and paying exorbitant excess-weight charges on my flights that will take me back to London...