So today, for the first time in 10 days, the weather is glorious and only 89 with a little wind.
The recent heat wave that engulfed not only Turkey but most of southern Europe really was a wake-up call for many.
Physically dealing with this kind of heat meant staying indoors, most of the day until 18 or 19 hours in the evening.
And even then, when venturing out, you were immediately hit by a wall of heat. OMG. It literally takes your breath away.
So, I’m trying to imagine dancing tango under these conditions.
Yes, we tried to tango at quite a few local Antalya milongas. At most, the air conditioning could not keep up, and the added body heat made it unbearable for me.
I found myself stopping dancing after 2 songs. Trying to dance a full tanda of 4 songs was impossible for me.
At this point, that is an advantage in Turkishtango as you dance on an open embrace. So very little body contact.
Me, I just can’t do this, as Argentinetango to me is a close embrace.
Period.
With lots of indoor time, I spend some time reading on social media. Came across this article, which I would like to share.
Dimintri from the Tango Parnter app recently released the results of a survey he conducted about people’s opinions on Milongas, whether it’s friendly or has terrible dancing. He wrote about his belief that it’s the responsibility of the organizer to be aware of all situations. Good and Bad
Heres the link to article:
https://thecurioustanguero.com/better-milongas-lets-make-it-happen/
I will just comment on one that I have experienced.
As we have attended many milongas in İstanbul, Izmir, Bursa, Antalya and marathon s in Turkey: Istanbul, Cappadocia and Antalya and in Spain: Tarragona, milongas in Madrid and Barcelona.
In both countries, we are the foreigners, and we have had a mixed reaction to us. Not really welcoming or either shunned, just accepted or ignored by locals. I would say not much curiosity.
It is an issue as I love to dance tango, and my body is enchanted by the music. I move in my seat to the rhythm of the music.
My partner is the same, as he plays a bandeon and probably knows most of the tango orchestras and singers. So together we are musical as dancers and only dance Argentinetango.
We are not shy people.
We are very kind people.
We love to share in Tango.
So here’s an idea for organizers of Milongas and festivals.
Would it be so difficult to have a table or chairs set aside and marked for visitors. This way, all the locals would know are visiting?
And for Marathons, would it be so difficult to have a table or two reserved for first-time event attendees?
Or maybe a section for foreigners, so locals can choose to meet the travelers?
Maybe we should get buttons made that say in the local language:
We are visiting from Buenos Aires and look forward to a tanda?
I find most tangeros are wonderful once the ice is broken and conversations happen, but there is no reason for attitudes of superiority or inferiority as we are all people who should treat each other with respect and kindness and continue to dance tango.
