Dancing Machine!!

So, I think I have just had the most fun I have ever had salsa dancing. Not to mention my excursion to the place was quite the adventure. Despite my apprehension I decided to take the bus to where the class was. The Subte would have taken me out of the way and three times as long. My housemate told me how to take the bus so I figured, vamos en un adventura! I must have passed up the corner she told me to pick the bus up from because I had to walk a few extra blocks to find the bus stop. Once I got there it was less than 5 minutes when 2 of the buses I needed had arrived. I placed myself at the front bus door of the first door and patiently waited for the front bus door to open for me to enter, to no avail. I hopped back to the second bus and yet the front door did not open. The buses jetted off leaving on the dust of their exhaust pipes and of confusion. What was I doing wrong? There were two other people at the bus stop but they were not interested in this bus. I watched them as they saw their bus coming and flagged it down. I see now, so I must flag down the bus. That's different. A few minutes later I have another chance to get this bus thing right. I flagged it down and the bus stopped for me to enter it. I never knew I could feel such pride about flagging down a bus, but I did. I was a local now...not really. Anywayz, the bus driver was very nice and patient with me. He showed me how to insert my money, made small talk, and told me where to get off.

When I arrived at the location I headed to the dance room. It was set up like a club, complete with a bar and lights. I payed my $20 pesos and proceeded to take a seat. A young man asked to sit at my table. He looked kind so I started a conversation with him. As usual, as soon as I opened my mouth I received the familiar question : "De deonde eres?" "De Los Angeles," I responded. He told me that the salsa style at this class was de Cubano, "un poco diferente del estilo de Los Angeles." Soon some friends of his arrived. One thing I have noticed here is the difference in the social etiquette. So far, people here have been very inviting of new people like myself, greeting me with genuine enthusiasm. I have noticed that when new people arrive to a group they will greet everyone with a hug and a kiss to the cheek, be it at a club or a private party and whether they know you or not. It is quite the ice breaker and from then on you feel like you have made a new friend. I know I am going to miss this when I get back to the States. It is such a pleasant and refreshing practice.

Finally the class was starting. We did some warm-ups and then broke into groups. I shifted my way over to advanced for a challenge. The instructor demonstrated a combination of turns and then the class would practice with the partner in from of them. At the sound of "Cambia!" the girls would shift over one person. I probably practiced with 15 people, which is great because it helps you learn to dance to different leads and to learn to follow (something I really need to learn) :p. The men would greet me with an "Hola" "Bueno" or "Que tal" and then spin away. The room was crowded do there was some bumping but it was great! Another cool thing we did was dance in a circle. I forget what it is called in Spanish but basically the instructor would call out moves and everyone would so it in unison as we moved in a circle and at "Cambia!" the ladies would spin to the next man and do the next move announced. It is hard to describe but it was so much fun and it was quite beautiful to see everyone dancing around together. Spirits were high and so was the energy.

At the end of the night we had an hour of free dance. I danced the whole time, stopping only to watch the technique of some of the other women. Dancing salsa releases me. It gives me a new energy and makes my soul laugh. I kind of have a little sassy swagger about me when I dance as I try to imitate some of the moves I see around me. I am not at all timid as I may be in other dance situations. It is almost as it I have an alter ego, just call me Veronica Sass ; )

At the end of the night I said "Chau" to my new friends and vowed to be back. What a deal $20 pesos, 3.5 hrs, much fun, and great people. Who could ask for more?