|
| |
Rich story...
Salsa started for me in 1994. I worked on a cargo ship
that was in liner service to Central/South America. The main diversion for merchant seamen
is bars. My favorite bars were in the city of Colon, Panama - even though I do not
drink! The women in the bars love to dance. I was in a bar and a beautiful chic asked me
to dance.
The music was Salsa.
I caught on to the basic step that first night. As time went by I got better and soon the
local people were impressed by how this American from the sea could dance Salsa!
All the ship's crew heard about my dancing. One day we went to this outside hotel bar.
Salsa was playing and the girls wanted to dance. I was dancing out there in the hot sun
and I passed out because I got overheated! I "came to" in the swimming
pool! The ladies were pouring water on my head. I started to get out but I could not
because I was naked! I looked over at the bar and my shipmates were waving my clothes
around their heads and yelling, "Come and get 'em, Rich!"
Then there was the time Salsa possibly saved my life. I was in Panama City and I found my
way to this place that turned out to be a dangerous spot. Some guys started watching me
and I knew they would probably mug me the second I walked out of the place. I started
dancing with the women and they could not believe it! They started dancing too. By the end
of the night they were too drunk and happy to carry out their plan to get me! For a while
the Salsa "addiction" really put me off track.
I lost my job and unfortunately I don't get to Panama any more. However I am now learning
to deal with it. I guess it would be asking too much for those wild and crazy times to go
on forever. I still dance and try to improve. I have been able to meet some nice women and
have taught some of them Salsa.
I understand that Salsa is different depending on where you are. I am not insulted anymore
if a woman will not dance with me. It is just because everyone has their own way of
dancing that they like. When a woman likes the way I dance and asks me where I learned, I
just smile and say "From some friends!"
Rich
Rich can be reached at: rmonjure@ix.netcom.com
|
