What is it that draws dancers to Egypt? What magic potion wafts through the air infecing the heart and invading the whole body, creating a longing within when miles separate us from it? Will the mystery ever be solved?

My journey into belly dance began much like my experience with Egypt. It was mildly interesting, but not something I was passionate about. It crept up on me only once I was in it. Silently it stalked. I became aware of it only once it was too late to stop the invation into my heart.

Some thing that it has only to do with the dancing. The dancing is nice. I am always inspired by the newness, the oldness, the connection, and the music when in Egypt. I like the passion of the little girls and grandmas. I appreciate the subtlety and grace of a well dropped hip, but it is more than that.

Some think it has to do with the fabulous shopping. The costumes are to die for! The sheer variety and beauty of all the glittering lovelies would send any dancer to heaven. I know I spend a great deal of time trying to decide while treasure to claim as my own. But that's not it entirely either.

Others go for the ancient mysteries of pharoahs, temples and tombs. The pyramids, Colossi of Memnon, and the Karnak complex overlook the modern landscape oblivious to the encorachment of civilization. They stand there, magestic symbols of a long past day, stirring the onlookers with a sense of deja vu and a disturbing something that can't be defined.

On the other hand, the zigzagging cars, overflowing carts, and airborne dung particles are certainly not a part of the typical dreamy vision. That's what Egypt delivers, but that is just cosmetic. Underneath the rough exterior is unbelievable depth, layers and layers waiting to be discovered.

Egypt doesn't give it to you all at once. Perhaps that why I continue to be attracted. I think it gives you what you most need. It does it whether you want it or not. It does it in a way that you can't refuse. "It' could be an awakening of a passion long buried. "It" could be inspiration. "It" could be the impetus to change your life. Whatever it is, you don't leave Egypt the same. I suppose that's why so many continue to return to Egypt, "Dreamland on the Nile."