So maybe they don't all dress like this, but it seems they can all move just like her.
One of the biggest challenges of living in Latin America: dancing like a local. Even the most awkward adolescent boys can shimmy their hips in a way that feels physically impossible to me. Over time I’ve gradually resigned myself to the fact that I will never be able to dance like them. It would be a full time job (with no sleeping allowed given the average bar’s hours) to learn to dance that well. As it stands now, I know the basic steps, but when the music gets going I generally step on a few toes.
Remarkably, despite my inadequacies/weaknesses on the dance floor, it is still amazingly easy to have a blast. Dancing just seems to be more ingrained in the culture here. Everyone assumes that you love it and the group appreciation goes a long way towards letting everyone, even the less talented, have a great time. It is definitely worth taking the risk, learning a few new steps, and crossing your fingers you can find someone else to lead.
Meg Gray is currently a Kiva Fellow in San Jose, Costa Rica where she goes dancing every chance she gets. Follow her travels or La Vida Idealist on Twitter
Latest posts by mgray2noti
- Back in the USA - April 26th, 2010
- That is Not the Costa Rica I Know - April 14th, 2010
- Reading List - April 8th, 2010
- Volunteering Does Not Equal Vacation - March 31st, 2010
- Things I Never Thought I Would Do At Work - March 24th, 2010
- La Lucha Para Ejercicio - March 18th, 2010
- When Body Language Goes Too Far - March 10th, 2010
- Life Without a Cell Phone - February 24th, 2010
- Safety Versus Freedom - February 17th, 2010
- Day in the Life: Elections in a Foreign Land - February 10th, 2010
Haha nice post Meg – I especially like the photo and the accompanying caption!