Wendy's story...

My Salsera story started in 1994. My friend Talya had just come back from visiting the Dominican Republic (D.R.) and we took a trip to New York. She kept telling me about this music called Merengue and Salsa. When we got to N.Y. we went to a party. For the first time I danced Merengue and, I will admit it to all of you, I was so bad I actually turned myself into the wall and had a bruise on my head. I did not know how to let a man lead me on the dance floor, no one in my family ever danced so I never learned. Then when I saw salsa performed I didn't even try it that night. If I was that bad at merengue I thought for sure I was going to kill myself dancing Salsa. But I loved the music and the people looked so cool dancing it. I decided that night I was going to learn Salsa (as well as Merengue). When I got back to Maryland I started hanging out with some guy friends who were into Spanish music and dancing as well. We stared going to a lot of gatherings and
slowly I got better. Merengue I picked up really fast, I just had to learn how to follow a mans lead and it was very easy.

Well, two years later the opportunity came up for me to go to D.R. for three months. I have never had so much fun in my whole life. My dancing technique got so much better, those Dominican's really know how to move a woman. Not all are very good at salsa but the ones that are....WOW!!! This
is where I met my fiance, Alex. I was at a gathering and he asked me to dance. I thought he was so handsome the first moment I saw him. He dances merengue really good but he stinks at salsa.
While Alex was visiting the US we went to see "Dance With Me". We almost got up in the theater and started practicing right there. Chayenne and Vanessa made it look so easy. I saw that movie twice, bought the soundtrack, and I can't wait to buy it when it comes out on tape. I had never seen it danced like that before. That very night Alex and I made a
vow. He promised to learn salsa if I would get up and run with him every morning. He is very into physical health. This is because he used to be a baseball player. His whole family is into it. His brother coaches a basketball team and his cousin plays for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Alex is in the D.R. right now so I can't practice with him but I do have a friend, Jason whom I practice with. He got your video, the raw one with you and several partners competing and practicing. We loved it!! You are so amazing, Jason says every woman should dance salsa the way you do. I agree,
you are the BOMB girl. We have been practicing some of the dips. I am a pretty carefree person and I will let him try all kinds of new stuff with me, even if I do get dropped on my head sometimes.

When Alex gets back we want to start taking clases. We have to hurry because the wedding is in January and in many Latin cultures the Bridal party does a dance. I want it to be a Salsa but if not it will be a Bachatta. It all depends on how fast and how well Alex does with Salsa.

Have you ever tried Bachatta, Edie? I must admit, I love Salsa but there is something deeper in Bachatta. Maybe you have to be in the Campo de La Republica Dominicana to feel it. It is so beautiful, and when Alex dances Bachatta with me it makes my knee's shake. I think it is the most romantic music in the whole world. Bachatta y los bachaterros really express the
heart and soul of the Dominican people. Sitting on my balcony in Santiago, listening to the Bachatta overflow from a corner Colmada gave me a feeling of serenity, and it really helped me to understand the people of the D.R. how they feel, live, and love. If you have never tried it you really should. I mean, I'm not trying to turn the attention away from Salsa but I think everyone should give Bachatta a try. It is growing fast. It used to only be played in the Campos of the Dominican Republic and was considered the poor people's music. Now there are lots of radio stations in D.R. that play only Bachatta and it is growing fast in New York and D.C. When I first heard Bachatta and saw it danced I hated it. But, that was until I saw Domincans dance Bachatta. They have a very smooth style. A lot of people make the dance look to harsh but you are supposed to flow smoothly back and forth with your partner. It really is a beautifull dance.

Anyway, thanks for letting me tell my story and I would welcome emails from everyone who reads this story. You can reach me at wendyw@asprs.org

Sigue Bailando!!!