This is probably the last update before I return home next month. As I write this I having been living here for 11 months. In 2 weeks I will return to Ireland. Still nuts about Tango or maybe it's the other way round?. I have maintained my practice with Matias and Kara, Pablo and Dana. This month 3 times a week with Pablo and Dana and up to 4 times a week with Matias and Kara. Pablo and Dana have just headed off on a 2 month tour of Europe and Asia. In the last few weeks I have tried out a few other teachers but none have excited me as much as those mentioned above. Many people whom I had met the first time I was here, returned over the Christmas period it was fun to see them again, they had their laugh at the crazy Irish guy who was still roaming the milongas of Buenos Aires. I am not the only person who gives up what they have been doing to follow the path of Tango. I met several people who planned to stay more than 6 months a few others who planned on staying a year or more and many who visited regularly each year for a month or two. Nobody could explain what draws them to Tango either. A few who though they knew seemed, to me to be talking through their hats. I don't know what's pulled me into Tango so strongly, I don't tend to dwell much on this question anymore, if and when the answer decides to step on me......I'll let you know ;-}.
The LP count is now up to 50. There are a few bummers but some great music not easily available on CD if at all.
Several of Julio de Caro, Edgardo Donato and Aníbal Troilo, then there's Elvino Vardaro highly regarded for playing the violin in a variety of orchestras through the 20's, 30's and 40's, Anselmo Aieta with his own orquesta and many others besides. The remastering continues slowly though I will probably redo it all when I get back to Ireland where I will have access to better equipment. 75 CD's have been added to my collection over 1200 tracks. At some stage I plan to look into collecting 78's and see if there are tunes to be recovered, but that's awhile away yet.
Went to see "Tanguera" a few weeks ago this is a show that is a Broadway quality production. Looks great the sound is excellent, dancing and presentation was up there with the best. Check it out if comes your way. Another show a more local event which I found very exciting was "Milonguísimo" it features 5 couples 4 of them dancing Milonguero one dancing more for stage and invited guests who when I saw it were Gustavo Naveira and Giselle Anne, very different from the typical show which tend to exhibit tango fantasia. Highly recommend if it showing and your here in BsAs. I have seen many exhibitions while here, much of the choreography I find does not move me, few are able to maintain a sense of spontaneity and fun when dancing pre planned moves but those that do are thrilling to watch. Some of the best dancing I see here is late at night towards the end of the milongas when most have gone home, there is more space and it is all spontaneous.
Along with all the good luck I've had, with finding teachers I like, some bad luck came my way, about a month ago I had my backpack stolen at a milonga, inside were my 2 diaries, a digital, still and video camera a pair of sandals and a few other bits and bobs.
It hardly ever happens but over a two week period during a festival a dozen video cameras were nicked during classes as well as milongas. While losing the equipment was bad enough the content was a bigger loss, and my two diaries going with all my contacts was a real pain in the ass. Well I started this a week ago now I have only 3 days left has it been worth it definitely will I return as soon as possible. The year here has just whetted my appetite for more tango. I go home to Ireland and will share with my tango friends what I have learned this year then when my funds allow I plan to return to BsAs to study for another year or two. Then again who knows what the future holds, I have had an amazing time here the city, the people are wonderful and then there is Tango Tango and more Tango 7 days a week 12+hours a day.
