The Travel Chica

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Tango Is Not for Me

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Remember how I learned to salsa dance in Quito and Nicaragua?  Remember how much I loved it and even made a video because I was so proud of myself?

I wanted to learn to tango in Buenos Aires.

Well, I did try.  But I suck.  Tango is really hard.  I do not enjoy it nearly as much as salsa. 

So I quit.  And I am okay with that.

When I first arrived, I was told about La Viruta.  For 25 pesos (US$6.25), you can go to this dance hall in Palermo Soho and take multiple classes and then stay for the open tango practice and even see a professional show on weekends.

I went every Thursday.

I even bought the package of 5 tickets for 50 pesos.  An awesome deal.  Every Thursday starting at 6pm, I attended a tango lesson, a salsa lesson, a milonga lesson (don’t even get me started on what the difference is between tango and milonga), and then another tango lesson.

I even stuck around late (highly unusual for a girl who likes to be in bed by 11pm on the weekdays) to watch the open tango practice and the professional show.  I was amazed to watch the couples during the open tango practice.  They looked like professionals. Their bodies seemed to be welded together.

Photo of tango dancers

Tango is similar to salsa in that the man decides the steps.

There are many different steps you learn, and the man chooses which of the seemingly thousands of combinations to do.

How does the woman know what to do?

You have to be able to read the pressure of his hand in yours combined with the direction he is moving your body with his other hand.  It ain’t easy.

During my group lessons at La Viruta, I found it nearly impossible to follow a man’s lead. Then I realized that was most likely because I was practicing with a man who was also trying to learn.  Nobody was really teaching him how to lead.  He was merely learning the steps and then walking on top of me and wondering why I didn’t know what he wanted me to do.

When the instructor came around and showed the man how to lead me, it was better… for about 5 minutes.  Then he was back to dragging me around the dance floor.

So I asked about private lessons.

In Buenos Aires, it costs US$50 an hour for private lessons. Es ridiculo!  I paid 1/5 of that for private salsa classes in Ecuador and 1/10 of that in Nicaragua.  Yes, I know that the cost of living is higher in Buenos Aires, but this was definitely out of my budget.

Photo of tango dancers

Even if it was cheaper, I still would have quit.

I enjoy listening to tango music.  I enjoy watching others dance tango.  But I do not have the same love of the music and the movement as I do with salsa.

I decided that tango is not for me.

Tango has an interesting history.  If you are interested to learn more about tango check out Abby’s post at The Jungle Princess.

Comments

  1. I hope to get to learn tango some day – it’s one of my favorites to listen to and also watch! (i’m not a salsa person… And thnk I’ll like tang more because it’s more dramatic, and aggressive…).
    But in any couple dance, the partner IS key – I never larned that much salsa as I did an evening in a cuban birthday party!
    Katherina recently posted..Photo Essay: The Secrets of Dalt Vila, Eivissa (Ibiza)

  2. I’ve always wanted to learn Salsa and I hope when I start exploring Latin America I can find classes and learn then. :) Tango sounds really complicated. :S I don’t blame you for quitting.
    Ceri recently posted..The Inevitable List

  3. It always takes trying to figure out what’s for you and what’s not! I saw a live tango dance once and I can admit that I was confused even just watching!

  7. Both Salsa and Tango look like very personal dances to me. Are they the kind of thing that you can just dance with anybody or do you have to have practice with the same person? It looks incredibly hard and I’m sure whatever you did manage to learn of the Tango will leave you miles ahead of most.
    Steve recently posted..Six Flags Magic Mountain

  15. Ah, sorry to read that Argentinian tango is not for you. I love it, but I agree with you it is difficult. It’s not just the elaborate steps and ochos and turns, it’s mainly the fact that you need to not want to control the steps at any time (which is my biggest obstacle). But there’s nothing like watching a couple dancing tango together like they’re one organism – they’re welded together, like you say. It’s fascinating.
    Christina recently posted..Discovering Vancouver: False Creek seawall

  18. At least you gave it a go!
    I took my Darling Man to a salsa place in Ho Chi Minh City once. I tried to do a few basic steps with him but he just got the giggles because it seemed so WRONG to get so close to someone in public. We stuck to Vietnamese hip hop clubs after that. Jumping up and down on the spot with one finger pointing to the roof is much more socially acceptable in Vietnam, apparently.
    Barbara recently posted..Prawn Fishing In Singapore

  22. I chanced upon your blog and I’m glad I did! I just had to stop and read your tango post. I have been a fan of tango since forever and learning to dance tango is on my bucket list! It’s such a passionate, dramatic dance! I’ve never taken lessons but every Christmas, my sisters “promises” we’re going to sign up. Of course she never honors her word and so I live vicariously through the courageous women who dare to take lessons. I so enjoyed this post, and for the record, I love salsa too! :)
    Bella recently posted..What’s beauty sleep without a pillow?

  25. My wife tried salsa and tango and decided she just didn’t have the patience to learn and she really enjoys dancing. For her its just become a point were she figures she can watch it vs trying to learn it. At least you tried!

  26. La Viruta is definitely a fun tango venue in BA. It’s a great place to go really late night (at 3:30am the entrance is free) and watch, as all the professionals go there after they’re done performing at the dinner shows (which yes, are extremely expensive! $100usd per person or higher). Tango dancing isn’t for everyone, but the great thing about it is that it’s not just confined to the dance – you have the music, the lyrics, the history – we love it!

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