Dear Caroline,
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Originally Posted by Caroline_afifi
I think articles like this need to be put into some kind of context.
The foreign dancers that I personally know in Cairo dance and live there because they are happy, those who are not tend to leave.
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And, I think knowing that one has the option to leave makes a difference....
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It is hard work keeping the gigs and having to perform when they are ill etc. There is no such thing as getting your mate to cover like we do in the UK etc.
The dancers work hard at it because they want too. The ones who stay long enough learn the hidden grammars of the society and learn to adapt.
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As any expatriate must no matter what the job, if they want to work in certain locations.
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For many it is a dream and for others it becomes a nightmare.
I think you have to be made of stern stuff to do late nights like they do.
There is bull*** to contend with and it is a highly competative area but
it has its pay offs.
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Yes, and it has those pay offs whether or not dancers actually deserve some of them, such as the girls having danced in Egypt being considered somehow better dancers than those who have not, I can name several who work there right now, who I would not cross the street to see dance for free, yet they are out there teaching workshops as if they were fabulous....
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I personally couldnt do it as as I am far too lazy to maintain the amount of energy required. I do admire anyone who sets a personal goal and achieves it for no matter how long it lasts.
I have seen mediocre dancers perform in Cairo and no amount of training seems to make a difference but they tend not to last very long.
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Well, there are a few, several from the western USA and a couple of those are really mediocre, but long lasting. Some of the dirt I have heard on a couple of them would curl your hair, or even better, curl mine!! There are also a couple from the western USA who left as worse than mediocre and came back as truly great dancers! It is a tough business no matter where you are ,but from all reports even worse there.
Regards,
A'isha