http://bdpaladin.com/2010/01/27/circling-back-to-the-middle-east-part-1/ Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:26:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 http://bdpaladin.com/2010/01/27/circling-back-to-the-middle-east-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-4294 Desiree Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:54:03 +0000 http://bdpaladin.com/?p=290#comment-4294 It was wonderful to read your story. I remember that your website mentions that you majored in Near Eastern studies and it's great to hear more about it. It was wonderful to read your story. I remember that your website mentions that you majored in Near Eastern studies and it’s great to hear more about it.

]]> http://bdpaladin.com/2010/01/27/circling-back-to-the-middle-east-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-3573 Brett McCoy Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:48:07 +0000 http://bdpaladin.com/?p=290#comment-3573 Excellent story! My fascination with the Middle East probably started as a child when I first saw "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad" on TV. I became immersed in Arabian Nights stories and later explored Sufism and of course delved into the music when I joined the SCA in the early 90s. It's a passion that has not abated at all! Excellent story! My fascination with the Middle East probably started as a child when I first saw “The 7th Voyage of Sinbad” on TV. I became immersed in Arabian Nights stories and later explored Sufism and of course delved into the music when I joined the SCA in the early 90s. It’s a passion that has not abated at all!

]]> http://bdpaladin.com/2010/01/27/circling-back-to-the-middle-east-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-3535 Lee Ali Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:22:26 +0000 http://bdpaladin.com/?p=290#comment-3535 Nice topic, Abby. After years of studying Anglo-Arab relations, I concluded there are 2 basic orientations: Orientalist and Arabist. The Orientalist being one who embraces the fantasy of Arabian exotica, and courts the mystery of Arab "otherness." While the Arabist immerses herself in Arab culture, to the extent that she becomes "one" with the Arab perspective in a state of seamlessness. Lawrence of Arabia is one such example of an Arabist, he lived as Arab. xo~ Nice topic, Abby. After years of studying Anglo-Arab relations, I concluded there are 2 basic orientations: Orientalist and Arabist. The Orientalist being one who embraces the fantasy of Arabian exotica, and courts the mystery of Arab “otherness.” While the Arabist immerses herself in Arab culture, to the extent that she becomes “one” with the Arab perspective in a state of seamlessness. Lawrence of Arabia is one such example of an Arabist, he lived as Arab. xo~

]]> http://bdpaladin.com/2010/01/27/circling-back-to-the-middle-east-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-3531 Bibhatsu Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:24:49 +0000 http://bdpaladin.com/?p=290#comment-3531 I was a couple years behind you in college, and I remember well seeing you dance. I didn't realize that was your first exposure to belly dance! I took Kim's beginner class back then too (she is fabulous, isn't she?), but have only recently gotten back into belly dance. And I'm still following you! It's so inspiring to see how far you've come from Raks O. I can't wait to hear more details of your journey. I was a couple years behind you in college, and I remember well seeing you dance. I didn’t realize that was your first exposure to belly dance! I took Kim’s beginner class back then too (she is fabulous, isn’t she?), but have only recently gotten back into belly dance. And I’m still following you! It’s so inspiring to see how far you’ve come from Raks O. I can’t wait to hear more details of your journey.

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