It has been an exciting couple of weeks... After visiting Berlin I took the train back to Kaunas, rehearsed for a week, performed in Zarasai (near the border of Latvia), then packed up my things again and flew back to Germany to attend the international Tanzmesse in Dusseldorf. The tanzmesse was incredible. I saw about 4-5 performances a day, met some wonderful choreographers, dancers, presenters, writers, etc. had very interesting conversations, and generally did my best to "network" as much as possible. Now I have a much better idea about the modern dance climate within many different countries, including my own. :) It seemed as if I was the only dancer attending for her own personal enjoyment, although most agreed that it was a wonderful thing to do. Everyone, including the director of the festival, treated me with equal respect as the most important choreographers and presenters. And because I was unaffiliated (and the only one not "buying" or "selling") I had the freedom to do as I pleased. :) If you are curious there are some pictures and info about the tanzmesse at http://www.tanznetz.de/en/news.phtml?page=showthread&aid=114&tid=8221 After the tanzmesse I went to Cologne to visit my friend slava. The idea was to use the free studio space he had there to create a dance, perform it, and then send the video out for various mixed-bills, etc. We had a little less than two weeks to work, and spent every possible moment in the studio. By the end of the first week, we had a little less than ten minutes choreography, that only needed to be cleaned and set to the music. Then Tuesday morning, I twisted my knee while taking class with pretty ugly. (www.prettyugly.de) The company was wonderfully nice; they called my friend, made an appointment with the physical therapist they use, called a taxi, etc. Slava carried me to the taxi, to the doctor, to the train, and back to his house. I am incredibly thankful that he was there for me. My knee very painful, and I couldn't move at all. The doctor said that he couldn't make a proper diagnosis without an MRI, since whatever damage had been done was definitely in the soft tissues. I went to another doctor just in case, but they agreed that it is either: 1. Damage to the joint capsule and/or bursa; requiring only rest. 2. Damage to the meniscus; requiring orthoscopic surgery. 3. Damage to the ligament(s); treatment ranges from rest and immobility, to surgery depending on the severity of the damage. In all three cases I need to be off my feet for some time, do something to reduce the swelling, and get an MRI to see exactly what is wrong. So, no performance in Cologne with slava, and probably no performances with Aura for a while. I flew back to Lithuania on Saturday, and went to the doctor as soon as I left the airport. Luckily Lina had decided to return home for a while for some R&R, and she helped arrange an MRI Monday evening and an appointment Thursday with the sports medicine specialist who did her knee surgery. I am forever in her debt. I don't know what I could have possibly done without my friends here!!! Now, all I have to do it sit (with my leg up) and wait to see the results. All my previous plans - performances here and in Greece, festival in Oct, a trip to London and then back to NYC again in Nov - are up in smoke. I cannot make any new plans until I have a proper diagnosis and some idea of what treatment is necessary. But I will let you know as soon as I do. Until then keep your fingers crossed for me. -Claire