I too considered myself an experienced AT dancer. But perhaps it was only my perception. Only a sojourn to the mecca of milongas would offer insight. Fortunately, I was briefed on what to expect, especially in regards to the neighborhood milongas. The elbows, the blocking and boxing-in (of the space, especially in the corners) only to be topped by a rather large alpha milonguero, timing his entry into my LOD, protruding his buttocks first to define his space, and then stopping to ease into the embrace in the middle of the song. After all, it was his neighborhood and his club, I was a visitor.
It was an honourable challenge to how I would react. A challenge to any newcomer, gringo or one from another barrio. Handling these situations with humor and dignity without losing the feeling or rhythm of the song is what is expected, sort of like the fraternity hazing one would expect in college, but more importantly because you owe this grace to your Argentine partner. She knows what the guys are doing and she knows why, she accepted your cabeceo and you must not let her down. Although this is going on all around you, she must not feel your discomfort. Lose your cool and the whole world becomes chaotic. This to me is life - “Tango is life”, I believe Maria Nieves said. Pass the tests and you're welcomed warmly, it’s a wonderful real culture. Abrazos, Richard _______________________________________________ Tango-L mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/tango-l
