What if the Hokey Pokey IS what it's all About???

...and then i did the "YMCA" (or, "Context is SO underrated!")

So, there I was again, this time at a salsa club in Arnhem, Netherlands (whereas last time it was a pub in Dublin, Ireland): the music was great, the setting was energetic, but I felt out of place and mad at myself for not trying harder to make connections with those around me (of course, the language barrier's here now, but most ppl speak English).

I'm proud of myself, because this time I actually approached someone to ask them to dance, but they turned me down (thus proving the hierarchical vibes of salsa - I later saw that this man was an advanced dancer). Nevertheless, instead of going at it again, I remained "in the bleachers" for the majority of the time; I will say I deeply enjoyed hearing the live music and dancing the meringue (sp?) with my aunt multiple times, but I was disappointed that I didn't push myself further to get what I wanted (a dance partner, or some carefree fun!). Where was the funky chicken? Could I, in effect, undo all the work I'd done to do the funky chicken just a week ago?

Alas, don't fear, children, for the story has a happy ending.

After watching my cousin Max do an awesome dance performance (a fusion of salsa, hip-hop and breakdancing) while the band rested, my aunt and I headed over to a smaller, local dance sponsored by the local University's International Club (it has 3,000 students, 1,000 of which are international ones). The vibe was much more relaxed; everyone had something in common, which was that they were connected to the university in some way. The music was just great, because the DJ selected stuff from all around the world - one minute it would be Michael Jackson, the next a local Columbian song, the next an Indian song, and the next, of course, the YMCA (how does everyone worldwide know this?)!

I found it so easy to just approach people or join a group of people swaying to the music and go with the flow. I was even comlimented on my dancing skills! Alas, if only the man who denied me a dance could have seen me then!

The moral of the story, my friends, is that context is essential. It's not just your attitude in your situation that counts, but the situation you choose to put yourself in (I should have known this after the great swing dancing night in Dublin, where I felt totally confident and comfortable). I vow to remember this in my future endeavors as i traipse across Europe! | posted by Cheryl, 10/29/2005 05:54:00 PM