Having been immersed in Latin culture, I’ve realized just how fantastic the skill of dance is. What’s great about it here is that regular people, not those with training or extensive practice, often break out into dances with style, with form, like the merengue or salsa.
As it was explained to me, salsa is a dance of submission; the woman has to give up and follow the man. This idea could raise some hackles – and knowing the machismo culture here, that’d be understandable. Just for a few minutes, though, forget it and enjoy the beauty.
And, really, “beauty” is too tame. It’s straight-up hot when done to perfection. It makes the ridiculous undulations that go on in the U.S. seem as sexy as a streak of whale snot. After watching two top-notch dancers go at it for a few minutes, I wanted to make out with one of them, gender optional.
What struck me at one dance club in Xela was how free and fluid the men were (ladies, we know you’ve got elegance). Their moves were truly suave, and they’d fearlessly break away and spin like figure skaters or preen for the crowd.
If a guy in the States pulled this, some would snicker and mutter the British slang word for “cigarette” but mean something else. To dance the way Latinos can, though, makes them 10 times the man I am (never mind helping them land 100 times the girls I do).
The dancing ability here is strong in part because it’s done from a young age. It’s woven into the fabric of the lifestyle, something appropriate at the club, at a wedding, or at Wednesday night in a restaurant.
So, hey, United States: Stop watching the Stars dance, and start doing it yourselves.
Kent most recently left his post as an English teacher in Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica and is currently traveling. To see what he’s up to, check out his blog or follow him on Twitter.
Latest posts by kentgreen
- The Centries: Handing Out Awards to Central America - August 9th, 2010
- Sub-juncting Myself to a Test of Generosity - August 4th, 2010
- Nobody (At Least Not Me) Knows the Trouble Guatemala's Seen - August 2nd, 2010
- Oh No, Ojos! (or, Why Gringos Don't Make Eye Contact) - July 28th, 2010
- Getting Schooled in Spanish Schools - July 21st, 2010
- Guatemala's REAL Danger: Not Wanting to Leave - July 19th, 2010
- Living the High Life (and not even knowing it) - July 14th, 2010
- The Devils of Panama City - July 7th, 2010
- Paging Maintenance, We Have a Crisis in Aisle 4 - July 5th, 2010
- Bye, Bye, Bias - June 30th, 2010
