Just around the corner from my accommodation I spot a tiny little place that advertises salsa lessons. I pop in to ask about the possibility of having a “practice” class. Andres is happy to oblige and so at 10am this morning I turn up. He tells me he teaches LA style, not Cuban, so I am keen to see how I go after all this time.
He is a tiny, strong man and within minutes has me twirling around the dance floor. A few times I get it very wrong, but we do it again and his encouraging “eso” inspires me to keep going. The best thing about it is that I am soon sweating profusely and having a great fun work out! It’s only later that he tells me that he is the Guatemalan salsa champion!
An hour just disappears and I walk out on a high. "See you at Sala tonight" he says "or maybe Xela". Sounds good to me.
Monday 25th July I think.
It’s my last morning in Antigua. I am off to Guatemala City again overnight, before heading to Xela tomorrow. Antigua has been a lovely experience. Its charm and relative safety have made it a place where I could relax for a few days. Yesterday I wandered around the Central Parque area where locals were enjoying their Sunday with food stalls, music and markets and a political rally! I had a relaxing day. (a massage at the Mayan spa and macadamia cream pie and latte at Café Condesa, and later a beer and yarn on the rooftop of our posada with Russ, a fellow Aussie from Queensland)
Russ, is quintessentially Australian, a “strine” talking larrikin with tatts, a past and a big heart. He is a surprisingly gentle man who has taken off on his own for 6 months and has had some adventures. Unlike some ethnocentric Australians I have met, he has embraced being out of his comfort zone and engaged with the locals with respect and friendship. He accompanies me to Sala later and we watch the amazing salsa dancers before heading back to our Posada.
One of the joys of travelling is that you spend time with people you may not otherwise have ever met, as they are not part of your usual social network. I’m glad I spent some time with Russ. He challenged some of my preconceptions and prejudices and reminded me once again that we human beings are very simple and very complex beings.
Hasta luego
Mon x
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| Antigua ruins |
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| artwork on every wall |
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| weekend artisan market |
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| political rally |
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| locals enjoying Sunday at Parque central |
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| entertainment |
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| what a happy chap |
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| photo of a photo |
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