[Tango-L] Report from Buenos Aires #8: Last dispatch

[Michael]

Seems like yesterday I arrived at BA´s airport to begin my trip to the
origin of tango. I´ve gone to a milonga every day; one day going to
TWO milongas.

Soon I´ll be in the States where the milongas are NOTHING like the
traditional milongas here. The room will have less light than a
sunrise; the entrada will be $10 DOLLARS instead of $10 PESOS, and
there won´t be any cabeceo.

If you´re serious about tango, come here and experience it for
yourself. I recommend coming alone or in a very small group. You´re
not going to learn much riding around town in a bus, hopping on and
off to take photos. If you want to dance with the Argentines, don´t go
to tourist milongas. I´m not sure anything can prepare you for the
milonga culture. Leave complicated figures at home, especially high
boleos.

Daniel Trenner said at Tango Locura in Montreal years ago "When you
come to the milonga, be prepared to dance." I modify that to "When you
come to BA, know how to dance." You´ll adapt to the Argentine style.

Learn some Spanish to learn the culture. I bought a painted sign at
the San Telmo market last Sunday. The message is worth much more than
the $35 pesos ($9.50 US) I paid:

No Sueñes tu vida
Vive tus sueños

Don´t dream your life
Live your dreams

Reporting from Buenos Aires for the last time

Michael Ditkoff
Washington, DC
I AM dancing Argentine Tango- - with the Argentines