Just a brief update. I participated in my very first Tango lesson this past week. It had been a goal of mine to learn a bit of Tango while living here, but I had never pursued any lessons. Yet when a friend invited me to take lessons on Thursdays I jumped at the opportunity. Conveniently, my classes on Thursday evenings had just concluded as my then student at the time had recently left for Greece, thus opening up my schedule and permitting me to take the classes.
I think one reason I hadn't bothered to pursue lessons was a preconceived notion I had created in my mind of groups of tourists paying exorbitant funds for an hour lesson and an expensive and mediocre dinner and Tango show. While this notion may be true in many instances,* it definitely did not fit my first experience in Tango lessons.
For one, I was the only English speaker there. This made the lessons all the better because it forced me to communicate only in Spanish. Second, the lessons are wonderfully priced, and the professors are more about having a great time and teaching Tango than about making a handsome profit.
The lessons were held in a beautiful Palermo home, in a spacious room with a real art nouveau Porteno feel. The atmosphere of the building, along with the energy of the professor and the participants blended to create a genuine sense of community.
The lesson lasted an hour and a half and was focused primarily on building proper technique. Sandwiches, empanadas, and an assortment of beverages were served afterwards while two of the lesson participants provided beautiful vocal accompaniment to traditional Tango ballads.
I quickly felt right at home in this chilled out, yet festive atmosphere, and I didn't end up leaving until nearly two in the morning. Despite having to wake up early the next morning for 3.5 hours of Spanish lessons.
Tango on Thursday, Spanish on Friday, and cooking with Brad again today. Despite some student cancellations, I have been very productive this week, and am looking forward to more Tango, Spanish, and the Buenos Aires chili cook off in the weeks to come.
Abrazos from the South!
*While Tango is widely recognized throughout the world, according to my Tango instructor only 2% of Argentines actually know how to dance Tango, which is probably what makes it much more of a tourist oriented custom.
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