Dancing

Hello all! This is Maddie and I get the pleasure of telling you all about my current favorite activity here in paradise! I have taken up dance classes and have been starting to learn two different Latin dance styles. I have been learning Bachata and Salsa. While I have a little experience doing some partner dancing having learned swing and square dancing it has been a fun challenge to learn these styles of dance! I have been learning these dances by going to classes twice a week Monday night I have Salsa class and Wednesday I have Bachata class. I have found Bachata to be easier than Salsa though I’m not sure why because Bachata has more foot work than Salsa. I have also been going out and dancing once a week at a local restaurant on Thursday nights to dance and hang out. Not only has dance been a fun activity to do it has also been a great way for me to meet people. Through dance I have made lots of acquaintances and now almost everywhere I go I get to say hi to one of my new friends!

dancing at los olas

Bachata class at the community center

Here is a little explanation of both dances. Both are partner dances with lots of spins and turns. Bachata follows a 4-beat count where you move for 3 counts and pause on the fourth. It typically means moving your feet for 3 steps and tapping your foot on the fourth for the pause. Bachata can be done in both the open dance position (just hand in hand) and closed dance position (which has a hand on the guys’ shoulder). Salsa is more of a two-step dance style with less rules than Bachata. Where Bachata follows a step Salsa follows music. Salsa also has multiple different steps and directions to go so it is a lot less of a set pattern unlike Bachata. Salsa can also be done in both closed and open dance positions though is typically danced in the open position. Either way I have been having a blast learning to dance here!

dancing at los olas

post dancing empanadas

Hope you are all doing well! Until next time.

-Maddie