One thing to note about the salsa scene in Buenos Aires: it’s not just about wanting to dance but being able to. We arrived at the salsa club Azúcar an hour after it opened: 1:00 a.m. There were already several people on the dance floor, dancing with impeccable technique and astounding flare. It seems a new trend in salsa is the use of hidden hand lights which go off at key moments of the dance.
To the side of the dance floor about 12 females sat alone at random tables waiting to be asked to dance, and more of them stood by the dance floor with the same hope. Capirinhas in hand, we joined this latter group and quickly discovered that no one will ask you to dance unless they have seen you dancing already (aka if they know that you can). They took one look at us gringas and kept on going.
But finally some men took pity on us. As I whirled and spun on the floor I realized it was harder than I remembered—and I wanted to lead. I quickly got over that, however, and was soon dancing with Manuel, a very good (and very patient) dancer, but next came my second problem: my feet.
It seems that those heels I so hurriedly purchased the night before my trip in case of just this scenario were not such a good idea after all. The backs kept sliding down my heel, which was not only uncomfortable but meant that my foot kept twisting and turning sideways, making it extremely painful and difficult to dance.
So I did what any real salsa dancer would do: I carried on. This meant stumbling far too often and exclaiming to Manuel, “Son mis zapatos” until, exasperated, I finally took off the shoes off. Then I was holding my own with the best of the girls on the floor (at least in my humble opinion, that is).
And now? Well, now I’m stuck with a pair of uncomfortable shoes that I most likely won’t wear again on this trip that most certainly take up too much space in an already stuffed backpack. Stupid shoes.
Lesson learned: Don’t salsa in uncomfortable heels. Don’t pack them either. And while we’re at it, don’t even buy them the night before your trip in the first place. Perhaps next time I’ll go dancing in my hiking boots…
Suzanne,
Awesome to hear from you….I’ve read everything you have written and will continue to do so. Sounds like you are having an amazing time and I hope you continue to enjoy every second of it. I miss you a ton, and look forward to the rest of your posts.
Raj