| Belly dancing is a wonderful exercise and means of | | | | wardrobe at bargain prices, which will help pay for |
| expression for any woman. One of its great | | | | your trip! |
| advantages is that you can reach a good standard | | | | The easier alternative is to shop online. Suppliers in |
| quite quickly, and start performing with amateur | | | | developing countries have been slower to jump on the |
| troupes at concerts, community fairs and festivals. | | | | internet bandwagon than sellers in the States or |
| But that creates another problem - what to wear! The | | | | Europe, but it is happening, mainly on eBay. Always |
| ornate beading of belly dance costumes mean they're | | | | check the seller's feedback rating before you buy, and |
| expensive to buy - a professional Egyptian belly dance | | | | scrutinize the photographs of the product carefully. |
| costume can cost $500 or $600 - and if you're not a | | | | If you have trouble tracking these suppliers down on |
| professional, it's hard to justify that kind of money. And | | | | eBay, you're probably not doing your searches |
| let's face it, many of us modern career women don't | | | | correctly. The default search usually gives you |
| have the sewing skills our moms or grandmothers had, | | | | products listed on your local eBay site only. That may |
| so the idea of making our own costume can be | | | | include some international sellers who've chosen to be |
| daunting - even if we could find the hours needed to | | | | listed on your country's site, but it won't include a host |
| sew on hundreds of bugle beads. On the other hand, | | | | of international members who haven't asked for a |
| part of the fun of belly dance performing is getting | | | | listing, but who would be quite happy to ship their |
| dressed up in all that "bling", and feeling like a star. | | | | product to your country. Try doing an Advanced |
| Don't despair, there are solutions. One is obvious - buy | | | | Search instead. |
| from the source! If you can find a supplier in Egypt, | | | | An easier alternative is to use an eBay Partner site, |
| Turkey or even India, you'll pay a fraction of the price | | | | where you'll find all the searches done for you. eBay |
| for a professional belly dance costume. Of course, that | | | | pays a small commission to the owner of the site, |
| can be easier said than done, unless you're planning an | | | | which comes from the seller's fees, not from the |
| overseas trip! On that score, it's worth checking to see | | | | buyer. So it doesn't cost you any extra to buy through |
| if any of your local bellydancing academies are | | | | these stores - you're still getting those great eBay |
| planning an escorted tour: not only can they be great | | | | prices! - and the bonus is they are often supporting a |
| fun, but you'll be able to set up your performance | | | | local belly dance community. |