US dollar is weak now. I hope the exchange rate to AP stays the same. Here is the new budget for the two weeks trip:
Round trip ticket: $880 (www.hotwire.com)
Two weeks studio rental: $380.00 (www.bytargentina.com)
Transportation: $220 ($120 adjusted)
Meals: $250.00
Milongas: $120
Private lessons(with J&A): $1000
Shopping for shoes and cds: $250.00 ($350 adjusted, Yeah! one more pair of shoes)
Total trip costs: $3100.00
An experience of lifetime: priceless.
There is something money can't buy, for everything else I still don't have a clue...
Monday, November 12, 2007
9 Days...
Rested for one night and two days, I was feeling itchy feet.This Sunday night was the reopening of La Milonguita Ideal with live music. It is on 31st street between fifth and sixth, just right off midtown tunnel. So I drove off after the Rockets game (and they won, one more reason to celebrate with tango.:) ).
Sunday night milongas are slower. Even it was the reopening night, the crowd was not that thick, comparing to last year. I just realized how quickly a year has gone by. And what a different dancer I am now.
The living music is fun to dance to. I love dancing to Tito Castro's bandoneon. He knows how to work the crowd. But sometimes the musician get carried away in their own music, and they forget about the dancers. I felt that way about the music tonight. So I decided to wait.
I went to the snack table instead, sandwiches, hams, veggie dips, candies, and some Argentine wine. Omar Vega came over and said hola. He seemed to be nice guy contrary to what I heard. I will take some of his classes after come back(if I do come back) from BsAs in December.
I started dancing when the recorded music was playing. First with an acquaintance, who just came back from BsAs, she again complimented my lead. Then I met a pretty young girl with long dark hair, whom is going to BsAs next week with a friend. Wow, I might see a lot of New Yorker in BsAs from what I learned so far. I meant to ask her for a tanda, but she was busy the whole night.
I danced with a former tango schoolmate. We started tango the same time. We had a good tanda, until the live music came back and I lost in interpreting the music and became less sure in the lead. We walked off the floor after the second live one.
Maestro was in the house. I chatted with him. He told me the cell phone was fine now. He had it fixed. He looked relaxed. Then this chica walked over. She exchanged a kiss on the cheek with Maestro. And she saw me standing with him and smiled at me. They went off to the dance floor. She is a fabulous dancer who went to the final of Compeonado Mundial this year. Maybe next time I could ask her for a tanda without getting turned down.
There came one of my favourite Tanturi tanda starting with Una Emocion. I went to the runner up of 1st USA tango championship. The first time I danced with her was at the same studio last year. I thought she was amazing then. We haven't had the chance to dance for a couple months. She looked happy that I asked.
Her embrace was different yet very comfortable. Her face was on my cheek. I could feel her eye lids closed and the slight movement of them. Our noses were so closed that I felt as if we were breathing together. And I breathed in the faint smell of wine from her. It was so intoxicating... I was getting fond of this embrace.
I love Tanturi and the tanda was great. She excused herself after one tanda: she had too much wine and she was afraid of not being at her best. I walked her back to her seat.
And that was it for me for the night. I chatted and socialized for the rest of the evening and left around 11:00pm. Got another compliment from a guy, whom danced tango for eight years and danced everything else since the 60's, on my way out. I remained modest:"still get a lot to learn."
9 more days...
Sunday night milongas are slower. Even it was the reopening night, the crowd was not that thick, comparing to last year. I just realized how quickly a year has gone by. And what a different dancer I am now.
The living music is fun to dance to. I love dancing to Tito Castro's bandoneon. He knows how to work the crowd. But sometimes the musician get carried away in their own music, and they forget about the dancers. I felt that way about the music tonight. So I decided to wait.
I went to the snack table instead, sandwiches, hams, veggie dips, candies, and some Argentine wine. Omar Vega came over and said hola. He seemed to be nice guy contrary to what I heard. I will take some of his classes after come back(if I do come back) from BsAs in December.
I started dancing when the recorded music was playing. First with an acquaintance, who just came back from BsAs, she again complimented my lead. Then I met a pretty young girl with long dark hair, whom is going to BsAs next week with a friend. Wow, I might see a lot of New Yorker in BsAs from what I learned so far. I meant to ask her for a tanda, but she was busy the whole night.
I danced with a former tango schoolmate. We started tango the same time. We had a good tanda, until the live music came back and I lost in interpreting the music and became less sure in the lead. We walked off the floor after the second live one.
Maestro was in the house. I chatted with him. He told me the cell phone was fine now. He had it fixed. He looked relaxed. Then this chica walked over. She exchanged a kiss on the cheek with Maestro. And she saw me standing with him and smiled at me. They went off to the dance floor. She is a fabulous dancer who went to the final of Compeonado Mundial this year. Maybe next time I could ask her for a tanda without getting turned down.
There came one of my favourite Tanturi tanda starting with Una Emocion. I went to the runner up of 1st USA tango championship. The first time I danced with her was at the same studio last year. I thought she was amazing then. We haven't had the chance to dance for a couple months. She looked happy that I asked.
Her embrace was different yet very comfortable. Her face was on my cheek. I could feel her eye lids closed and the slight movement of them. Our noses were so closed that I felt as if we were breathing together. And I breathed in the faint smell of wine from her. It was so intoxicating... I was getting fond of this embrace.
I love Tanturi and the tanda was great. She excused herself after one tanda: she had too much wine and she was afraid of not being at her best. I walked her back to her seat.
And that was it for me for the night. I chatted and socialized for the rest of the evening and left around 11:00pm. Got another compliment from a guy, whom danced tango for eight years and danced everything else since the 60's, on my way out. I remained modest:"still get a lot to learn."
9 more days...
Sunday, November 11, 2007
10 Days
Skipped all nighter's six anniversary, stayed home instead to catch up with the sleep. I have to rest up before the trip. I doubt that I will sleep much in BsAs. Dug up some old video which is kinda cool.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
11 Days
Started packing today. Sent the shirts to dry cleaner. Cleaned up the apartment. Paid some bills. Ironed some dress pants.
Check list(REVISED & unedited): cameras, cell phone, chargers, notebook computer, POWER ADAPTERS. memory card, Zune, external hard drive, jeans, shirts, shoes, two weeks underwear, after shave, body spray, Trojans, medicines, two credit cards, ITINERARY, COPIES OF PASSPORT, RANSOM INSTRUCTION, oh extra DUFFEL BAG, anything missing?
Check list(REVISED & unedited): cameras, cell phone, chargers, notebook computer, POWER ADAPTERS. memory card, Zune, external hard drive, jeans, shirts, shoes, two weeks underwear, after shave, body spray, Trojans, medicines, two credit cards, ITINERARY, COPIES OF PASSPORT, RANSOM INSTRUCTION, oh extra DUFFEL BAG, anything missing?
The Russian Beer
was potent. Or was it just me being a cheap drunk (mind you, I had drunk a bottle of vodka and was still conscious afterwards.)? Or maybe it was the rain. Anyway, it was depressing earlier at Ukrainian last night. I went because my DJ friend was deedaying there.
I chatted with a tango friend of mine. It turned out he is now taking lessons at the school that I hated the most. He wanted to dance with all those babes. Ur..one more reason to get a beer.
"Try to Russian one. It was good." he recommended. We continued our conversation about his relationship, tango workshop, private, and of course women... er, more reason to drink up. I finished the bottle before he took two sips of his wine.
I felt a bit tipsy. Shit. Now I got my eyes on this young woman DJ friend was dancing with, whom just came in and smiled at me when she passed the bar. She seemed to follow very well, good embrace, decent walk and turn. A slow night like this, she was the star.
I didn't have the chance to ask her until after the performance break. And it was lovely. It might be the alcohol, but I felt like I was dancing in my dream.
She was light like a feather. I felt like floating above the floor. "Think grounded, think grounded." I reminded myself a few times. " dance lower" Maestro's voice echoed in my ears...
it must be the GD Russian beer.
Her embrace was the one that I feel most comfortably : chest to chest. She was relaxed. That allowed us just concentrating on the connection. During the second tanda, she slided up her left arm around my shoulder and allowed herself deeper into my embrace. Her palm gently caressed the back of my neck... I couldn't help but moved my right hand lower to her waist and held her a little tighter. We connected from bellybutton up. I was more grounded then, the walks were stronger.
At the end of each song from the second tanda, I held her a few moments before broke the embrace. She was there, torsos still connected. I gently shook my body, like rocking a baby into sleep, and I felt the warmth of her body and the faint heartbeat next to my chest.
She was not a breather, but I replaced that sense by secretly sniffed the scent of her dark hair. I felt like a thief, but I pardoned myself because of the GD Russian beer. Three non stop tandas after, I was exhausted emotionally and physically.
The moment I left the floor, I was feeling a bit lost. She is from out of town, and I probably won't see her again.
" That was very nice, you and that young woman. You guys looked great." My dear tango friend said to me with a wink and tricky smile.
"I always make the woman look great." I winked back. " GD, I am cocky." I laughed.
My DTF seemed to see through my mind. Older women are wiser. She got me on the reason that I was drinking too.
"Gee, I am so sick of these tango scenes. I feel like I can take off tomorrow." I whined again to my DTF. I had a bottle of Russian beer, therefore all the misbehaves, if there was any, should be excused as under the influence.
I got home safely. A small glass of limoni after, my warm bed seems to be right place to go.
This morning I dream of dancing with a pretty Argentine with long dark hair to Al Compas De un Tango, on the empty floor of the old, now gone Club Espanol.
11 Days to Buenos Aires....
I chatted with a tango friend of mine. It turned out he is now taking lessons at the school that I hated the most. He wanted to dance with all those babes. Ur..one more reason to get a beer.
"Try to Russian one. It was good." he recommended. We continued our conversation about his relationship, tango workshop, private, and of course women... er, more reason to drink up. I finished the bottle before he took two sips of his wine.
I felt a bit tipsy. Shit. Now I got my eyes on this young woman DJ friend was dancing with, whom just came in and smiled at me when she passed the bar. She seemed to follow very well, good embrace, decent walk and turn. A slow night like this, she was the star.
I didn't have the chance to ask her until after the performance break. And it was lovely. It might be the alcohol, but I felt like I was dancing in my dream.
She was light like a feather. I felt like floating above the floor. "Think grounded, think grounded." I reminded myself a few times. " dance lower" Maestro's voice echoed in my ears...
it must be the GD Russian beer.
Her embrace was the one that I feel most comfortably : chest to chest. She was relaxed. That allowed us just concentrating on the connection. During the second tanda, she slided up her left arm around my shoulder and allowed herself deeper into my embrace. Her palm gently caressed the back of my neck... I couldn't help but moved my right hand lower to her waist and held her a little tighter. We connected from bellybutton up. I was more grounded then, the walks were stronger.
At the end of each song from the second tanda, I held her a few moments before broke the embrace. She was there, torsos still connected. I gently shook my body, like rocking a baby into sleep, and I felt the warmth of her body and the faint heartbeat next to my chest.
She was not a breather, but I replaced that sense by secretly sniffed the scent of her dark hair. I felt like a thief, but I pardoned myself because of the GD Russian beer. Three non stop tandas after, I was exhausted emotionally and physically.
The moment I left the floor, I was feeling a bit lost. She is from out of town, and I probably won't see her again.
" That was very nice, you and that young woman. You guys looked great." My dear tango friend said to me with a wink and tricky smile.
"I always make the woman look great." I winked back. " GD, I am cocky." I laughed.
My DTF seemed to see through my mind. Older women are wiser. She got me on the reason that I was drinking too.
"Gee, I am so sick of these tango scenes. I feel like I can take off tomorrow." I whined again to my DTF. I had a bottle of Russian beer, therefore all the misbehaves, if there was any, should be excused as under the influence.
I got home safely. A small glass of limoni after, my warm bed seems to be right place to go.
This morning I dream of dancing with a pretty Argentine with long dark hair to Al Compas De un Tango, on the empty floor of the old, now gone Club Espanol.
11 Days to Buenos Aires....
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