Satisfaction
Tuesday (27 January) was the second day of the Chinese New Year. For those not familiar with Chinese customs, normally the first few days of the lunar new year (assuming they are also public holidays) are filled up with visits to homes of relatives or friends, etc. Because of this I was not optimistic about the attendance at the regular milonga at Xen Bar. In the end, close to 30 people, including a couple of overseas visitors, showed up – more than twice of what I was expecting!
As the crowd was well balanced gender-wise, and since I was feeling rather lethargic because I did not get a good rest the previous night (or perhaps due to the glasses of wine I had…), I had a rare chance to be able to sit back, chat and watch people enjoy themselves for much of the night. I have to admit that it was quite refreshing to be able to sit on the sideline rather than being in the thick of action as it were.
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Creatures of habit
During a recent milonga where I DJ’ed, I was a little amused when someone – the owner of the establishment as a matter of fact – was surprised that everyone on the dance floor knew it was the end of the milonga when the La Cumparsita came on. Incidentally it was not my usual “finishing” tanda although I did play the same version of La Cumparsita (30′s D’Arienzo)
However, I have to admit that the process of giving people the message that it was the end of the night was not always so straightforward.
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A visitor’s experience of Tango in Singapore
Having lived in different cities and also the chance to dance Tango in a few countries, I can certainly relate to the nerves and the insecurities that a new-comer to the scene can experience. Having said that, I was rather surprised and somewhat disappointed to see a “C-” assessment by Dorcinda on her review of Tango in Singapore, albeit from over a year ago.
In particular she cited the following “pet peeves”:
- Unfriendly or “anti-outsider” community.
- Not inviting ladies properly.
- Not finishing the tandas
- Criticizing your dance partner during the dance.
- “A guy who repeats the same move three or more times, cuz the girl didn’t do it right the first time.”
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Survival guide for BA
Given the increasing number of Singaporeans who finally managed to make the trip to Buenos Aires (although I still have not made the list yet… 
) – counting 6-7 in this month alone and perhaps another 6-8 in early 2009 – the following tidbits of information written by a nice English lady who decided to start a new life in BA is highly recommended:
Information for tourists in Buenos Aires by Sallycat
Well, it is much appreciated by me and I am also looking forward to the book she is writing!
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