Dubai, United Arab Emirates - 3 of 3

Al Maha - NOW THATS ENTERTAINMENT!!! 3 of 3

As we were eating, we had relaxing Oud and Tabla musicians playing stringed Middle Eastern music. The Oud is a musical instrument prominent in medieval and modern Islamic music dating back 5000 years. The Oud has a deep pear-shaped body, a fretless fingerboard, and a relatively shorter neck and somewhat less acutely bent-back pegbox than the European lute. A tabla is composed of 2 hand drums from the 18th Century that look a set of bongos. Very hypnotic type music to listen to while eating and chatting.

A short time later entertained by Tanoura dancers (only performed by men), as they spun in circle in multi-colored lighted skirts and outfits (see photos) and made their way around us to Sufi music (from the 12th century). This is an Arabic folkloric and traditional ceremonial act (said to have come from Egypt). This form of dance is very popular in Dubai (tip: the incredibly fast spinning dancers spin counter-clockwise, opposite to the blood circulation to avoid dizziness).

As if all those awakenings of the senses were not enough, we were treated to two wonderful Belly Dancers, not like the Belly Dancers you see in the US. These were “authentic”. They could move like no one else can.

What a great evening. Bruce even got a tattoo of ISRAEL on his arm (it will last about a month) in solidarity to Israel.

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