Carole Edrich Weblog

three to tango

Escuela Argentina de Tango opened for its first Sunday class at 3:00pm. I calculated it was just possible to take the lesson, walk back to the Sheraton Park Tower and meet Cheso and her son for an hour before taking a taxi to the airport.

Even though it was late I was alone in the studio and was beginning to wonder if I had got something wrong when a tiny, elegant blond lady came in. She introduced herself as María Solero; the teacher, and said she was waiting for someone. When she started the lesson without waiting for other students I could barely believe my luck.

María Solero preparing for class
photo (c) Carole Edrich, 2006

To my happy incredulity the person María had been expecting turned out to be her dance partner and not another student. Marcelo Almirón was the only other person to join us, resulting in an unintentional private lesson.

After a slightly wobbly warm up (it was the first outing for my high, black tango shoes) we worked on the bar and on my couple dancing. María watched everything, and corrected a movement or borrowed Marcelo to demonstrate a move or make a point. We covered a lot, including weight shifting, posture and balance, turns, general and 'follow' technique as well as some patterns. I had an absolutely fantastic time and learned more than would have been possible in a week of group classes. If I had put pleasure before work yesterday this perfect private lesson would never have happened.

While walking back to the hotel I realised that my dancing shoes are much more comfortable than the street shoes I'll be wearing on the journey home. After a brief internal struggle (irrespective of their comfort, three inch heels aren’t really appropriate for a long haul flight) I've resolved to wear them as much as possible when back in Blightie.

What a wonderful way to end a fantastic few weeks in Argentina! It's a huge, beautiful place with friendly open people, fantastic food and great dance and I’m already looking forward to coming back.

photo (c) Carole Edrich, 2006

My sincere thanks to everyone who made this trip possible, especially Rodolfo Milesi of Bel Pottinger Sans Frontiers and the Argentine Tourism Office, Andre Dang of Harrods, Roberto Fittipaldi of the Argentine Road Cycling Association, Destino Argentina, Wines of Argentina and the Argentine Secretariat of Tourism (particularly those based in Buenos Aires and Salta) and all the bodegas and hotels that participated. When I've consolidated all the notes I'll link to a full list.

Posted by carole at April 2, 2006 06:15 PM