My Love of Dancing (Final Entry)

In a world of responsibilities, pressure and overbooked calendars, dancing is the one thing that truly makes me happy. It is the one moment when I am allowed to hand over control and simply let go.

Those rare occasions when you find a perfect partner within a dance is magical. In these moments, the partner on the dance floor is the mirror of the partner we seek in life. As a woman we easily recognize a good lead and appreciate what he offers.

A good lead is always thinking ahead. He is always protecting his partner from surrounding threats and anticipating their next move, the next step in their journey. Although the man has the more challenging role, he aims to make his partner shine and allows her the center of attention.

A good partner will cover your mistakes and hold you up when you lose your balance. They remind you to breathe when space is cramped. They watch your back and you watch theirs.

Simply stated, dancing is about the connection between two people; the intimate conversation that only they can hear. In a world of noise, there is a peaceful solace in listening to the unspoken.

If dancing isn’t a part of your world, you should try it. It will change your life.

One More Thing - Reference Guide

I put together a reference guide if you are ever considering going to Buenos Aires. It has weblinks, info, addresses, tips and recommendations.

http://www.fileden.com/files/2009/5/20/2448757//Travel_Reference_Guide_Buenos_Aires.doc

Why I Like Traveling Alone

I know people who are adverse to traveling alone. Most of these people have probably never tried it. These are my thoughts on traveling alone, especially as a female.

1. People are extra helpful and nice because they feel sorry for you.

2. Always walk confidently and with purpose and people won't bother you.

3. If you don’t want to talk to other people wear sunglasses and an iPod.

4. Never carry a map. Create a mini map on a sticky. Never look at it in public.

5. There is a time to smile and a time to scowl. Know the difference.

I also have a couple tips on traveling that I now live by:
1. Take snacks and buy PB&J upon arrival. You never know when you will find food. My staple to fly with now is oatmeal, almonds, granola bars, power bars and tea.
2. Don’t overplan. Grab a local paper and do what the locals do.
3. If you know someone from that area call them and get advice. The locals know the best places not in the guidebook.
4. Some airports make you pay to enter and pay to leave. Carry extra cash.
5. If you can bring a laptop, do. It’s the best source of info and not all internet cafes are easy to find. Spend the money on an international plan for aircard for your trip.

Why Aren't You Traveling?

As I wrap up my trip I wonder why I don't travel more often -- why more people don't travel more often? It's almost magical that you can get in a plane and the next day (or same day) arrive in a completely different world than the one you know. I can be sitting in a stale office on Monday and be in a gondola in Venice the next day. How crazy is that?

These are the excuses I most hear. Have you uttered these words? I would definitely ask you to re-think the reasons you aren't exploring the world - and this can include niches of life in the US.

* I don’t have the money : Save. Plan. And there are cheap alternatives out there. Who do you know that you could stay with as a "homebase"? Do you know someone with a timeshare?

* I don’t have the vacation time : Budget in unpaid time off if your employer will allow. If they won't then your employer is an a-hole who doesn't understand work/life balance and should be fired.

* I have kids : Then you should be allowing them the experience of new places and cultures. Yes its logistically more challenging but it is also a gift to your kids. What they take away should be far worth it.

* I don’t know where I want to go : This is trickier because there are so many options. Do you have a hobby? Something you like to do? My hobby is obviously dancing. Maybe yours is sports - what about the football hall of fame? Rock n Roll Hall of Fame? An interest in old cemetaries? You have to like something... start with that notion.

* What will be fun to do when I get there? I'm not a huge fan of planning every detail before I get to a place. I don't like touristy things, shopping or sightseeing. I like to go where the locals go so if I know someone from there I always talk to them. I also pick up a paper when I arrive and see what things are going on around town. In New Zealand I spent a few days watching their colleges compete in a ton of different sports that happen to be in town. I also signed up for the XTerra trail run on a whim. Get there -- then figure it out. That's half the fun.

* I’m afraid to fly : You can stay within the continent and still find new experiences. Also - valium. Suggest for "traveling with kids" referenced above.

* I don’t speak the language / I’m intimidated by non-english speaking countries : I completely understand this anxiety as this part terrifies me. However a little Rosetta Stone or some basic phrases and you can get through most major cities around the world. Most places have signs in English or at least pictures that are universal. You are going to make mistakes. You may look foolish from time to time but is that really what's stopping you?

* I don’t have anyone to go with : You don't need anyone to go with. Trust me. Try it out for a weekend trip and see. You'll actually start to hear your own thoughts from once. (These thoughts may be dangerous for some people). I think there are advantages to traveling alone. You are more approachable and people are far nicer to you. You get to do everything you want and nothing you don't -- when and where you want to do it. How can you beat that?

So, I encourage you to meet new people, see new places and view life from another perspective. Sometimes the perspective is brighter and other times it makes you appreciate what you have. Either way I think you come back a better person.

Buenos Aires: The City & The People

I think there is a misperception about the people of Buenos Aires. The first thing of note is that it is primarily made up of Spanish and Italian immigrants. Italian food - pizza and pasta - is the overwhelming food choice around the city. Half of the people look "white", or what we, in the US think of as such.

Another perception is that the people of Buenos Aires are poor. Although the US dollar goes a long way, the people are not poor. I noticed this most in their love of pets, especially dogs. The people of Buenos Aires LOVE their dogs and you see them walking them along the streets at all hours. Poor countries don't keep dogs as pets and certainly don't hire dogwalkers.

The streets are crowded with both pedestrians and drivers (mostly taxis). People get OUT into their neighborhoods and their children play with one another in parks. You don't have to pay to have your kid play a sport. They don't need a special jersey. They just go to any park and pick up a game.

I believe people are out and about due to Buenos Aires being a city of apartments. There are no houses. Think San Francisco. The families don't want to stay couped up in their apartment and they don't take heed to gameboys and xboxs. They instead are out in the world mingling with one another, enjoying the outdoors in a very simple way. I was at first taken aback by people standing aimlessly on their store stoops. It seemed menacing. It's not. The weather is beautiful and they like to breathe fresh air. Imagine that.

When I first arrived in Buenos Aires on my taxi ride I saw a city of graffiti, cramped living, busy streets, vagrants and traffic. It only took a day to see the city and its people in a new light; the kindness, sense of family, community, culture and welcoming nature. They are not people who smile often but who are physically intertwined. Their gestures show their intent not the look on their face.

I thought about my neighborhood. It is beautiful and looks safe, with nice cars, landscaped lawns and organized sports... but I question what lives inside this facade - it seems hollow and lost. The sense of family and community, lost.

Remember when you were dating and you met a really nice, kind, family-type guy (girl) but they weren't attractive? You might have passed them up for the better looking option only to find this option wasn't smart and was highly self-absorbed? That's what I feel about the difference between BA and LA. We look pretty from the outside but what do we really have to offer one another? When was the last time you talked to your neighbors? When has the whole family gone out and had fun that didn't cost money? Maybe you're the exception but I'm thinking graffiti looks pretty good.

Tango Night 4 - Salon Canning

Instead of running shoes, I put on a sundress and some flipflops and strolled to downtown Recoleta with a book and my iPod. Had a nice day of lounging and listening to music in the parks. It's amazing to me how many people spend time in the parks and how many children play in the many playgrounds around town. They are always full. It's a much simpler, calmer way of life. I also imagine it's due to families living in apartments rather than houses - they are forced to get outside for breathing room.

Last night I stopped in at Salon Canning, another tango dance hall. It was much more in line with Nino Bien; an older, traditional crowd. Now that I knew about La Viruta and their tendency toward the younger tango nuevo, I was spoiled.

I stayed at Salon Canning a bit and then went over to La Viruta where there was mass swing lessons in progress (midnight mind you. Nothing starts early here. The social dancing on Sunday nights doesn't even start until 12:30!). There were three dancefloors teaching swing and the main dancefloor had 3 separate groups due to the number of people. Probably between 150-200 dancers learning swing. Crazy.

They also teach the triple step basic with this little kick in the middle. Super hard if the music is fast. They also teach somewhat bouncey -- or everyone is still so new to the dance, they bounce. We remember how that was, right?

I got lucky and was able to dance with some of the teachers once the dancefloor opened up. I also got more dancing in with the cute swing "french" boy from the night before(turns out not French, Argentinian). The remainder of the night they played half swing and half tango music which was exactly what I needed. Hung out with some Austrians. Another great evening out.

Also - I was told that the best tango dancers in the area all come to this place after 2am or 3am so I decided to stay for the 3am crowd. AMAZING! I don't think anyone would need to go to a tango show. They could stop in at 3am and watch the dancing here. It was a dancefloor full of the most incredible dancers I've ever seen.