2008 ARLINE (LOVES) ADORES ASIA:

My body is back in St. Petersburg, Florida (USA) but my mind and memories are still in Asia. One cannot describe in words or in conversation the beautiful colors and sights and the warm, generous people of this lovely area of the world. We need to remove ourselves from our little sphere of existence to appreciate what our world is really about. To be able to experience another culture and another part of the world was truly extraordinary. Just listening to the news broadcast from there - where the total focus is not the USA - but about people from everywhere. Really amazing and eye-opening.

The weather was much like Florida and Singapore is very close to the equator as is Panama (where I was born). So the heat and humidity did not bother me. However - you will not believe this!!! I live in Florida where there are hurricanes during the summer months and guess what?? A # 9 (out of 10) typhoon NURI made a direct hit on Hong Kong while I was there. The city was completely closed - things were falling off of buildings and stuff blowing everywhere. The hotel was boarded up - sand bags placed by the front doors, and I had to stay most of the day in my room watching the Olympics. Which was interesting but not what I had planned to do for that day in Hong Kong! We all survived very well tho.

The classes there are often in buildings with no A/C and sometimes we danced outdoors. Not many have lovely facilities with nice, wood floors like we do . Yet no one complains and everyone smiles all the times and has tremendous fun dancing. Every where I went - the dancers were mostly of the Int./Adv level and picked up any dance I taught immediately. Plus they all remembered them hours later!! How neat!

I made ten stops and taught at nine classes during my 5 week trip. Everyone asked me if I would be glad to get back home and my reply was "NO - I am very sad to leave this magnificent area and am having so much fun and will miss everyone terribly." I was crying as I said good bye at the end of each stop. The best thing - tho - is that many of the wonderful people I met will be coming to my Tampa event in Nov., 2009. I cannot wait to see all of them again!!!

The pictures are all on my web site and some videos as well. Plus all of the messages that people sent in to Carol's newsletter as I went along. www.TampaLineDanceClassic.com

I stopped on my way in LA and took a shuttle to visit my long-time friend in Newport Beach, CA. We talked the two days away. I met with Show Ming for the afternoon at the Mall and talked with Lou Ann Schemmel. Was sorry not to make her class Wed. night. I left from LA to Tokyo on a 12 hour flight. Gads. The stewardess looked just like Carol Craven! I cannot sleep on a plane - lost one whole day - and got to Tokyo exhausted. Hiro Suzuki met me at my hotel in the Shinagawa area. The Prince Hotel has movie theaters , a bowling alley, an aquarium - and many many shops. Perfect location. Masses of people. All very well dressed - not many women in pants. They are so polite and gracious. Went to bed for a good, long sleep. Few people speak English in Tokyo so Hiro helped me out during the teaches. Went to his Sat. evening class and then to the next day - all day workshop. Noriko - Hiro's wife escorted me to the workshop as well as Sumi. Everyone seemed to enjoy FIRE ON ICE by Kate Sala which I taught at all of my stops. Everyone everywhere was so kind - treated me to lunches and dinners and brought me so many beautiful gifs. They could not seem to do enough for me. Took me to see all the sights and showed me the "REAL" Asia. Hiro drove me for a lovely day in Yokohama before I left. Also took an all-day tour of Tokyo - fascinating.

Early AM to Hong Kong - arrived late afternoon. Lillian Lo met me and took me to see the incredible laser/music show on Hong Kong Harbor. Then up to the Peak - highest point for a gorgeous view of the city and a nice photograph. Back downtown for a magnificent dinner with a large group of dancers. Was up early the next morning to teach a class - had lunch with Lena Choi and her dancers. Then to teach in the afternoon at Heidi's class. Met up with Chris Coates - for a few hours to chat (son of one of my dancer's from Canada) who is working in Hong Kong. Took an afternoon tour of the New Territories and Kawoloon.

Asians love to eat - but I stuck mostly to fried rice and omelets and ice cream and DOUGHNUTS! How do they all stay so slim and tiny? I don't think 20 minutes passed without eating something!

There are huge shopping Malls everywhere - with all the high end stores that you could image. I discovered the prices were really better in the US on most items so did not buy very much.

Transportation everywhere was excellent and easy to figure out - prices in Malaysia were really cheap. You could have a fabulous meal for $3.00!! (fried rice again). I was also able to understand the money exchange and got along OK with that.

Flew to Kuala Lumpur and was met by Khim and her wonderful husband BC Lim - who escorted me everywhere and took such good care of getting me places I needed to be. Khim and Margaret took me to the Batu Cave (lots of cute monkeys all over the place) and the Pewter Factory the next day. Exciting tour of the area. Lots of lunches and dinners as well all along the way. It rained alot in Malaysia - I thought I was in Florida?!!

Took a nice bus trip to Malacca - Susan met me and escorted me all around. Taught (on carpet) that night at the hotel after a great dinner. Another class the next day and a group of us went to brunch. Susan and Rosalyn took me sightseeing and in the evening to Jonker Walk - amazing stalls and things to sell and eat etc. We even line danced inside one of the little rooms by the street. Was taken for dinner afterwards by the line dance council.

Flew next to the other area of Malaysia - Kuching ( used to be Borneo ) - Yu Puay - Alice and Geok met me at the airport and guess what? Yes - we went to eat! (fried rice) They drove me around to see the gorgeous homes and town and waterfront. The next day there was a social planned and a pot luck - more to eat! Visited the interesting Cultural Village and later to "dinner". After shopping at the local stores and lunch at her club - Yu Puay took me to the airport for my flight to Penang.

Evelyn met me at the very late evening flight and insisted that I stay at her exquisite home. She took me all over Penang - we danced at her club and sat in on some Karaoke - which everyone over there loves. Remembered that I must not wear shoes in any houses. From there Evelyn got me on the plane to Subang, Malaysia. Margaret met me in a huge rainstorm and took to my magnificent hotel. It was in a shopping mall and tons of restaurants - I was in heaven! We had dinner with Margaret's husband joining us!!! Took me to her class (outdoors) the next day. Everyone came and spoke with me and made me so welcome everywhere I went. A large group from the line dance council took me to dinner later. Margaret took me to get the luxurious bus to Singapore the next day. I enjoyed the scenery along the way. Had to go through customs but not too bad. Delicious (and different) breakfasts were offered at all the hotels I stayed in. And free bottles of water given. Also the luggage carts are everywhere at the airports and are also free. It was easy to get around.

Khim and Robin met me in Singapore and we did not stop for a minute for the next four days. I saw all the areas - shops - Chinatown - Merlin - Chinese Lantern Festival (more colored lights in one place than I have ever seen) and the beautiful waterfront and also colorful boats and floats. People drive really crazy - in Malaysia mostly - so don't even think about renting a car. I never did figure out the rules of the road!! I stayed at Khim's fabulous apt. in Singapore where she works (she also lives in Kuala Lumpur) - had lots of good food, of course! We went to Raffle's Hotel - where I had the famous Singapore Sling (it was originated at this sensational old Hotel). Went to Robin's class and met up with friends Lee and Ginny (who had attended the Tampa Classic two years ago). Had a late -guess what? - dinner with Khim joining us. Khim treated me to a glorious massage treatment - almost fell asleep before getting on the plane that night for Tokyo. How delightful and so nice of her to be so thoughtful. Spent 7 hours on the flight to Tokyo - no sleep. Got in at 6:30 AM - Tokyo time and could not leave until 4:30 that afternoon. Since I flew first class ( I used my AA air miles ) I could go in the Admiral's Lounge and rest and guess what - eat!! The 12 hour flight to LA went reasonably fast - but no sleep for me. Had been traveling at that point for 31 hours. Got the shuttle from LA to visit my friend in Newport Beach again for two days to sleep and get back in sync. Adding an extra day coming home was really weird!! Have you ever had two Thursdays?? Hard to figure!

Early flight from LA to Tampa on Sunday. It was a magnificent 5 week journey --- everyone and everything was perfect. I have begun to realize what life is like outside of my small realm and can appreciate how others live in a different part of the world. My eyes and my mind have been opened. It is all brought together because of our spectacular world of line dancing. We are all so fortunate to have this as a part of our lives. So no matter where you live or visit - ENJOY YOUR DANCING AND BE GRATEFUL FOR OUR WONDERFUL AND VERY SPECIAL FRIENDS IN THIS INCREDIBLE WORLD. I know for sure - that I am!

Luv - Arline

COMMENTS FROM OTHERS:

FROM: LILIAN LO
Arline is not the flimsy little lady she appears to be. In the evening of her arrival from Tokyo in Hong Kong, we headed out to the waterfront of the Convention Centre to see the Symphony of the Lights, the spectacular display of musically synchronized laser lightings and illumination of major buildings on both sides of the Victoria Harbour. Afterwards, we rode up to the Peak to watch the glittering night scene of Hong Kong from high up. To expose her to more sight and sound of Hong Kong, I hosted a Chinese banquet dinner in her honour and invited some local dancers and instructors to keep her company. We wined, dined and exchanged news on the line dance circles of the East and the West till the wee hours of the night.
The next morning, when we met up at the hotel lobby, Arline was fresh as a daisy, all ready to go full gear for her morning class.  After the regular instructor Lina Choi reviewed The Dance, Could It Be You, Stronger, Love Vein, Amor de Hielo, Arline taught Fire on Ice.  Her clear instructions gave the class a pleasurable ride through this 64 count fast dance.  At lunch, Arline was treated to Chinese dim sum.  Various kinds of dumplings and fried rice were among her favorites. We then visited another dance group.  When Heidi Ip let Arline took the floor, she energized the class with Rebel Amor and Fire On Ice.  All students enjoyed both dances with much enthusiasm.
I had to leave to catch my flight for the the Beijing Olympics right after the lesson. A severe typhoon hit Hong Kong the next day but to our great delights, over the phone, we learned that we were both watching the same Olympic competitions - on TV in Hong Kong for her and at the Bird's Nest in Beijing for me. The rest of the weekend, she met up with a U.S. dancer's son living in Hong Kong as well as visiting the New Territories and went for more shopping.
As I write this report on the plane back from Beijing, this iron butterfly is flapping her wings to another destination, Malaysia. Indeed, she lives every minute of her life to the fullest.
I am privileged to have a friend in Arline who shares the same passion as I do for line dancing - One World, One Dream.

FROM: GLORIA
My son met up with Arline in Hong Kong and they had a nice visit Arline wants you to know that she is doing fine. She had a great time in Japan, where she was well treated and spent time teaching. She has also been warmly received in Hong Kong, and spent some of her time here teaching as well. She wants you to know that she met up with my son and that she is spending time seeing the sights of Hong Kong and that she will be leaving for Malaysia on Monday, where she will spend 5 days, then she will be spending 5 days in Singapore before she heads back to the USA via Tokyo. She also wants you to know that she survived the typhoon in Hong Kong. It was a T9 on the typhoon scale, which is one of the most severe they have had there in a while but all is well. The schools were all closed in Hong Kong so it was like getting a snow day in Canada.

Hope you understand this message, Carol. I have never sent anything to the newsletter so hope it is OK to send it to you this way at Arline's request. I guess some of you will be wondering how she is doing. Chris, our son thought Arline was a very nice lady, very easy to talk to and she is staying in a hotel in Wan Chai which is not too far from where he lives. They visited for an hour or so. Guess you folks were lucky with the Hurricane Fay. I kept track of it on CNN.

We are flying to Florida this season so will be there on Oct. 13 which is our Thanksgiving Day.

Love, Gloria

FROM: HIRO
She taught and danced at our monthly workshop, Tokyo Country Dance Workshop,
hosted by Hiro & Noriko Suzuki on Aug. 17, 2008 in Tokyo More than
30 dancers had fun time with The Little Bird. (grin)

Some pictures attached. (NOTE FROM ME: I forwarded the pictures to Stacy for Arline's website)

She left Tokyo for Hong Kong today.
--------------
Hiro Suzuki, Country Music Lover and Country Dancer in Tokyo
A Member of 'Crazy Feet Tokyo'
http://www.country-dance.com/

FROM ROBIN SIN
Arline would like to inform everyone that she'll be home soon but will stop over LA for awhile before shuttling home. She has full confident in me to write of her trip here in Singapore and I hope it didn't disappoint her with this tiny winey little report.. :)
She was so enjoying herself here in Singapore especially when we skipped quite a lot of what I categorized as “don't waste your time” attraction and just went for a few here; 1. Chinese Garden for the “Hello Kitty” lantern display for our Mid Autumn Celebration. 2. Chinatown , where she got her ready made shoes!!! Remember to request her to cat walk on that when you meet her..lolz. 3. Merlion, our national icon, she bought a bag of souvenirs out of the Merlion shop. 3. Boat Quay, thats the start of our Singapore River trail. We were at opposite bank oversee the once wharehouses turn into stretch of restuarants and bars in present under the foot of the Sir Raffles statue. 4. Clarke Quay, last stretch of the Sinagpore River trail. We have a sumptous dinner overlooking the floating lantern display on the river. 5. Bugis Village , a small little flea market in the city area and that's where our famous “Guan Yin” temple stands. 6. Orchard Road , we walk along this busiest shopping district here in Singapore all the way to the Ngee Ann City shopping complex. 7. Suntec City , where the Fountain Of Wealth situated and the largest shopping complex in Singapore connecting the convention centre and thats where Arline had her relaxing SPA experience at The Pacific Hotel booked by Happy Khim in advance. And a bonus too, having her teaching in my class on Tuesday night where she taught Kate Sala's Fire On Ice and was pretty well received.

Phew! 4 days here to do all that is real amazing and we miss her already. Hope meet her again in no time.

Cheers
Robin Sin
www.thewildwestsg.net
info@thewildwestsg.net

FROM: HAPPYFEET
Fueled by hurricane energy from Florida, she arrived on Aug 15 and being met by Hiro Suzuki in Tokyo. When I wrote to Hiro asking if he knows of anyone who could help Arline in Japan, he replied, “Don't you trust me? No other person except Hiro”. True to his words, Arline Winerman enjoyed the sights and sounds from Tokyo to Yokohama besides line dancing.

The change in time zones and temperatures did not bother Arline one bit. She swept into Hong Kong 5 days later with her powerful winds bringing forth typhoon which caused her to be room-bound and watched Olympics on TV. Lilian Lo lined up an impressive itinerary for Arline to savour the delights of Hong Kong.

Arline continues to produce big waves when she arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Aug 25 amidst huge torrential rains which resulted in major floods in the city. This lady is evergreen! She looks as good as she was when I first met her at her Tampa Bay Line Dance Classic in 2006.

Margaret Lee of Funstompers met us at KLCC Twin Towers where we started our favourite past-time: EAT. The next day, Arline climbed up some of the 272-step stairway leading to Batu Caves, a pilgrimage site for Hindu community. Of course, the rest of us feigned faintness and stayed at the foot of Batu Caves, trying to make acquaintance with the resident monkeys.

As Malaysia is home to the world’s finest pewter, we made a stop at Royal Selangor’s ultra modern Visitor Centre which provides factory tour. Arline was so fascinated with the elaborate pewter-making processes that she tried her hands on it herself. Not bad, she was offered at job there but the rigid working hours did not appeal to her. Phew, she will stick on to line dancing.

The rest of Arline’s stay in Malaysia was paced out for her to visit Malacca, a historical state which is rich with heritage buildings, ancient landmarks and colonial structures. Susan Beh and MLDA (MT) packaged up a wonderful programme which includes a mini line dance workshop with impressive turnout. No visit to Malacca is complete without a stroll along Jonker Street.

On Aug 30, eve of our National Day, Arline flew out to Kuching in East Malaysia where she was met by Yu Puay’s kawan-kawan as Yu Puay was busy fantasizing that she was some Roman queen somewhere that evening. Arline contributed to Malaysian economy and continued her retail therapy; plus a visit to Sarawak Cultural Village.

3 days later, Arline was shuttled to Penang, our very own Pearl of the Orient. Evelyn Khaw hosted her in her new mansion and took Arline round this delightful little island which boasts of emerald green hills and golden sandy beaches with reputation as food paradise. One will not be forgiven for denying the stomach of Penang’s char koay teow, nasi kandar. And line dancing, of course….

Final stop was in Selangor; back in the arms of Margaret Lee and Funstompers who organized a little party. By then, Arline has gotten into Malaysian feeding pattern and would cry out loud ‘I have not eaten for the past 20 minutes’.

HappyFeet would like to thank all LD Kakis in all the abovementioned states for taking such wonderful care of Arline who made this maiden trip. Not a day passed when I was with Arline without hearing her recalling all the wonderful moments she spent with all of you. Robin Sin of Wild West Singapore made it a point to send her off at Changi Airport; just to make sure that Arline does not overstay and really got on the plane back to US

To meet, to know, and then to part.
It’s a sad world of many broken hearts.

But it doesn’t have to be that way, right? Let’s head out to Arline’s 2009 Tampa Line Dance Classic in Florida (www.tampalinedanceclassic.com). Countdown starts now to November 5! Ample time to start saving and dreaming and sew your national costume to showcase your curves there! And oh of course, WE will also tour US and have our share of retail therapy there.
420 Days to go!

Yours in HappyShoes
HappyFeet
13.09.2008

FROM: YU PUAY YEO
Hi guys

Go check this out......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHSr9BypB-o

Carol, Arline asks me to write to you - will do so over the next couple of days when I get nice photos to send along.
Amy, try to spot in which pics we were doing Feel So Good!!!! hahahahaha there were quite a few of them....
Arilne, it was a great pleasure dancing with you......
And CHIANG HONG, thanks and pls refer to what I said to Carol. Waiting for your photos - which are much nicer than mine! hahahahaha

Thanks, everyone, for a great evening of dancing and of course - food, glorious food........

Love
Yu Puay

FROM: SOO M WONG
Went to check out the site because of Arline, met her last Saturday at a line dance jam session with Margaret and other Fun Stomper friends. She taught us 2 dances.

We really enjoyed ourselves, it was cool coz it was raining and she said it's just like the weather back in Florida. I believe she is enjoying her visit to Malaysia and this part of the world.

It's fantastic isn't it, we can make friends from all over the world through line dancing! The line dancing community over here keeps growing as more and more ladies take this up as a form of exercise and social networking. I myself love line dancing and have made many new friends who share this passion in the last 4 years.

Take care,
Soo

FROM: YU PUAY
Arline got into Kuching on the evening of 30th August 2008 (Saturday). She was met at the airport and immediately whisked away for a dinner at a hawker centre nearby!

Sunday, Malaysia's national day, was a relaxing day for Arline until the evening when she joined the Karar Line Dancers for a jamming session at St Thomas' School Hall, and of course ........ FOOD! Malaysians love food and every function MUST have food! :-) Arline got on to the floor for some dances like "Crazy Foot Mambo", "Charanga", Jo Thompson's favourite "Come Dance with Me", Neville's "Everybody Dance", Michael Barr's "Doors of Life" etc etc. She was kept suitably amused by Michelle Peron's "SAP" which the Karar Line Dancers absolutely love! At the party, Arline taught Michele Burton's "Operator 4-1-1" which was very well-received by the group. For a peek into the evening, click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHSr9BypB-o

Monday morning, Arline visited the Sarawak Cultural Village, a living museum about 45 minutes' drive away from the city of Kuching. After that she was taken for a drive to a fishing village and then to Petra Jaya where the administrative centres of the the state of Sarawak (of which Kuching is the capital) are. Despite being a former champion swimmer, she decided not to go on the "sampan" (little boats) that ferry people to and fro the Petra Jaya side of the Sarawak River and the city centre!!!

Once we drove back to the city side, we converged on Big Apple Donut at the Spring shopping mall for tea. Anyone wants to guess how many donuts Arline had????? Well, let me just tell you that our friend DEFINITELY has a sweet tooth!

Dinner saw Arline having her favourite Kuching food - fried rice and MORE fried rice.......

On Tuesday, after a longgggggggg breakfast with Yu Puay, Alice Wright and Geok, Arline embarked on a shopping expedition to the Main Bazaar where crafts and souvenirs are sold. She was then taken to the Satok area where she bought a gorgeous "kebaya" (Malay costume). After an early dinner at a local private club, she was sent to the airport where she took a flight to Penang.

It was a great pleasure for us here in Kuching to host Arline. She was an inspiration to many of us and we all hope that we'll be dancing as enthusiastically as she is when we are her age!

She has also stirred an interest in some of us to make our way to Tampa in 2009.... so see you there!!!

Thanks. Photos come later - when I get it from Chiang Hong. When would you need them?

Regards
Yu Puay

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