So You Think You Can Dance?

Not anymore I don't. Last night I went to my first salsa dancing class. Unfortunately, I didn't know ahead of time that it wasn't a beginner's class. I had to grab a partner and join a large circle in an arabian-themed ballroom. The instructor would demonstrate a series of moves, then we had to replicate them. Not only could I not remember the dance steps because there were so many of them, but even if I could remember them I wouldn't have been able to perform them. One step that went particularly badly was a move involving my partner picking me up and twirl me around. I am then supposed to land "gracefully" on one leg, then slide back into a lunge. Most guys there were polite and said "good try" with a forced smile but finally one guy told me, "that was pretty bad." At that point I left the circle and sat in a corner :(

After the lesson ended, the free dance began. I felt like I was back at my grade 8 dance, waiting for someone to ask me to dance (no one did). I sat in a chair, listening to "Black Hole Sun", watching everyone else partner up. Fortunately, this dance had a better ending - some pervy drunk guy weaved his way over to me and offered to show me basic salsa steps. Seeing no other appealing offer, I accepted. He proceeded to tell me how much he drank that night, how I have a "beautiful smile", and then repeatedly stepped on my feet. Despite this, I can now hold my own doing a basic 1-2-3 step!