Six weeks back in Buenos Aires the third time round, I am glad to report I don't feel that I've made a mistake. New Years eve went grand a party on the same terrace I spent last years New Years eve. This year was much hotter though late 20's Last year we had rain. Many of the same faces were there. There is always around December a big influx of people arriving for their Tango fix most of them get to stay at least a month a few for just 2 weeks or so and then there are the mad ones like myself who come for two months and end up staying for 6. The Tsunami in Asia has in the worst possible way made this a Christmas everyone will remember. Here on the eve of New Year's Eve in Buenos Aires, about 16 blocks or a 10 minute bus ride from where I live another tragedy took the lives of 191 people and injured 100s more. A fire started after a flare was set off in a club. There is alleged to have been 4000 or so people inside and that many of the exits were padlocked or wired shut. Three days of mourning were decreed. As you can imagine it has caused an uproar here with calls for the Mayor Aníbal Ibarra to resign. All dance halls are to remain shut for two weeks till new legislation is considered. This includes Milongas.
Pablo and Dana's new Tango studio opened today the first class was lead by Gonzalo and Mariel. For about 3 years they have been wanting to organize a studio now it is coming to fruition. Situated on Corrientes 2140 it is open Monday to Saturday 10 till 22. Tango and Yoga will be taught on a daily basis Jazz and salsa are additional possibilities. I will focus my studies here and supplement them with private lessons from the teachers here. I have taken 1 with Gonzalo and 2 with Pablo there is a months work integrating what you learn out at these classes. The minute details are considered, addressed and fixed, concepts are explained and these I understand but putting them into practice is another story. There is a refining of sensitivity all the time, it seems that there is no end to this refinement, subtlety is the name of the game. Relaxation is the key. The mind as much as the body maybe even more.
There are no words to describe the sadness of the feeling of what's happened is happening around the coast of the Indian ocean. The Tsunami as I write this, has claimed the lives of more than 147,000 people, no amount of tears can comfort this loss of life. Let us gently rest in quietude and in this place share our condolences with those who have endured loss. Much closer to home here in BsAs more than 191 people have died in a club fire 3 days of mourning have been decreed this New Years weekend.
