No Escape

I tried my best but it's hopeless. I admit defeat. I am neck-deep in a thick velvety tango obsession. It's crept into every free inch of brain space I had left. Yesterday I had to practically crowbar my eyes away from time wasting tango surfing looking for tango shoes.

So how is it going, you cry? I'd say not too bad. I place myself about medium in the class, which is a fine place to be. Just before Christmas was my most enjoyable lesson ever - two girls and 4 men so the tables were turned and for the first time ever I danced for an hour straight without dangling around the bars waiting for a man to be freed up.

We learnt what is for me tango's most iconic move - the gancho. This basically looks like you're trying to rub something nasty off the bottom of your Comme il Fauts with a scraping movement, kicking the leg back and under the leg of your partner. It's beautiful if done right.

Unfortunately I can't do it right, the same way I can't do crosses right. Tsk tsk tsk "What was that?" demanded the teacher when I slung back a flimsy foot. Whoops. No contact. The whole leg of the woman is supposed to move back, not just bend at the knee.

Anyway, that aside the Christmas party milonga/salsa party at the school was really a lot of fun despite my first hideous experience. I have found that dancing blind ie. removing my glasses really does help and I executed one dance which I personally give myself 9/10 for, though to be honest, as a follower if your leader is good you can't really take much of the credit.

On Wednesday Teacher told us that in two weeks' time, the school will be holding exams for anyone interested to get official recognition of their tango level. A fancy idea, which I won't be pursuing as I don't deal well with pressure at all. I pretty much faint with horror every time I get asked to dance in front of other, far better and far superior dancers. An exam would just about make my heart explode.

But this piece of info wormed its way into my dreams which are so stupid I just have to share them with you. In my dream last night I was in class and Teacher came up to me and said "You really should take the exam. I think it's a good idea. These will help you." and he slipped two MAC lipglosses into my hand.

Don't ask. My dream world is a strange and psychadelic place. I don't even own a MAC lipgloss let alone wear them. But my exact thoughts in the dream were "Damn, the school paid for MAC lipglosses so I better take the exam now".

Other than that, the most exciting news is this: the 5th tango festival of Athens rolls into town in February www.athenstango-festival.gr . Featuring a bunch of goodies, but most importantly for me, these guys:




Swoon!!!!!! Can you believe we in Athens will get to see this greatness face to face? That's why I need new tango shoes - my current pair is actually ballroom tango. Though I have a feeling that I will be coming up with many, many more excuses to buy tango shoes. Ladies, the shoes alone are reason enough to come to class. Every time I close my eyes I see Greta Floras and Neotangos.

As for the men... I'm willing to do just about anything to get more men to come to class. Tell me, what would convince you?!