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Foreign Rhythms

I wanted to try something new, so I signed up for an extracurricular Salsa class at the university. I figured it would be a great way to meet people. Plus, I had been interested in learning to dance Salsa for a while, but I could never gather the courage to sign up before. Something about the anonymity of traveling alone to another country makes it easier to face fears and deal with nerves.

I was definitely nervous though. My first class did not go well. The teacher, Zamira, walked in, turned on some music, and told us to start dancing. Zamira would show us a move, and we would all attempt to copy her. I pushed through the class one awkward step after another. Eventually, the class was over and I felt like I knew less about dancing than I had before showing up to the class. Zamira invited another guy and me to stay for another class to see if we felt better about it.

Class with Zamira

Class with Zamira

 

I stayed for the second class. Then I came back every week. I made friends. I started going to Salsa clubs with them. I learned a lot. I had so much fun.

I also started meeting with a group that danced salsa at a plaza in the center of Santiago a couple of times a week. It was the type of thing one sees in the movies: dancing Salsa outside!

Salsa on the streets!

Salsa on the streets!

 

It was a unique adventure to find myself lost in a foreign rhythm, laughing at my clumsiness, all while taking in this joyous culture that brought strangers together dancing in the streets.

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