3rd Month

With us starting the 3rd month of living in Buenos Aires, I thought I’d take a moment to take a breath. Breathing thru all the changes currently taking place around the world polically, economically, and environmentally.

Today, the weather was very warm, and tonight, with the help of the wind, the days heat is dissipating as we wait for the Uber that will take us home from tonight’s milonga.

As mentioned, I’m continuing to write about my impressions of the familiar milongas in the next few issues. These are the places we return to because of their familiarity with a combination of new and old friends and because they are friendly. The type of people that are attracted to these milonga are usually upbeat folks who want to dance and enjoy their time.

One of my happy spots is at the El Abrazo Tango Club with the hosts Zoraida and Diego, providing a space to have a milonga with excellent music by dj Mario Orlando with a good wooden floor plus bar service.[ https://travelingtango.com/en/tango-whats-happening-in-buenos-aires/]

On Sunday nights, the usual happy and familiar place is Julia Doynel’s Sueno Portenyo at Maza 457. The milonga starts early at 7.30 pm after a tango or rock and roll class.

Here as in many clubs, reservations are a must.This room has a long rectangle shape with a row of single tables on either long side and larger tables in front of the stage and on the opposite side of the room by the bar there are more larger tables.
Quique Camargo has been Julia’s dj for many years. This month, she not only celebrated her personal birthday but celebrated the 17th anniversary of her milonga, Sueno Portenyo.

The place is usually packed with portenyos and foreigners. many who’ve been dancing at Julia’s milongas for years. There are always at least 3 or 4 very talented taxi dancers that Julia hires to dance with the abundance of women.

What makes Sueño Portenyo a little different from many other milongas in the city is Julia’s invention of the Milonga of the Bonbon. This tanda is different as the woman makes the choice of what man she wants to dance with by giving him the piece of chocolate that she has chosen.

This is very popular with both sexes as much anticipation occurs for many people. For me, as I have a wonderful dance partner and dance a lot, I anticipate my partners appeal to other women, we agree that he should dance with another woman.

Unfortunately, the ratio of woman to man can be as much as 5 to 1 in many milongas here in Buenos Aires. At this milongas with Julia’s has a constant presence. She is continually asking the women, “Have you danced?” If the response is no. She will find an available dancer. She is truly an amazing organization/host.

Another well-known feature of her milongas is the fresh hot medialunas served at 2 am. to all those dancers who have stayed until the end. As for us, we usually leave at 12.30 as we arrive at 8.30.

She also takes many photos and posts them on Facebook.  I have gotten a copy of a photo that she posted on Facebook sent to me on what’sapp at 5 am.

The other thing she does for her woman dancers is make make sure you leave in a taxi as safety is always a concern in Buenos Aires, especially in the late evening or early morning.

More essays about different milongas in the next issues.

Abrazo

Ma