Salsa Successes

Other than church and school, salsa class is that situation where I am most surrounded by a group of Poles that I am expected to interact with. Truth be told, it is the most demanding interaction I have with anyone here. In church, people do not really pay attention to me and they couldn't care less what I do as long as I am quiet and am sitting and standing on cue. At school, everyone knows that I don't speak Polish so I am forgiven for any blunders I may make, and in my classroom my students are expected to keep up with me. Salsa class is the exact opposite of these situations. Not everyone knows that I am American, I have to keep up, and everyone is watching what everyone else is doing. Therefore this hour and a half is the most demanding chunk of time of my week, but it is also the best time of the week. I am recognizably slow on the uptake because I have to wait to watch what the teacher does instead of just responding to what he says. But once I've got the moves down, I really am able to relax into the music and enjoy myself.

Here are some stories about my salsa adventures over the last week.

On Saturday night, Maria and I decided to go to a town outside of Katowice for the party of the Primavera Salsa Open, which is a national salsa festival. Some of the best dancers in Poland were at this festival and at the party. It was so cool to watch the skilled dancers let loose and have fun with their friends. I even braved the dance floor twice with two different partners. My first partner said that he didn't want to be my "master" so though he was a good dancer, he was a poor leader. My second partner was definitely my master and it was so much easier to dance with him! I am still a beginner and I've realized that I really need a strong hand to follow if he wants me to do more complicated figures than what I have learned thus far. This salsa party was by far the biggest I have been to yet, and it was a great night.

In case I haven't mentioned it, it has been raining here, incessantly, since April. It's still raining. So to go to my class yesterday, I suited up in my long raincoat, duct-taped rain boots, and umbrella. At the first crosswalk I came to a car started blowing his horn at me. I was very confused because I don't really know that many people here and I did not recognize the car. After a few more blows and some awkward staring, I realized it was two of my acquaintances from class! They pulled over and gave me a ride to the studio! I was so appreciative of their kindness. One of them also said something funny. He said, "Anna just told me last week that you are from America. I just thought you were shy and that you didn't like me. I didn't know you spoke English!" It was really sweet and very nice. And after that he had a lot of fun chatting with me in English.

My last story is from the Cesky Tesin Salsa Party. Maria and I went after her salsa class with a Polish couple who lives on the Czech side. The husband spoke in English to me, but the wife was shy and quiet. They invited us to sit with them and their friends. When Maria was dancing, I introduced myself, in Polish, to the woman who was also left at the table. I soon divulged that I'm American and it turns out that she and her two friends spoke English. Her one friend, spoke very well and we talked for quite a long time even after the other two lost interest. Also, one of the instructors from my studio, not my teacher but one of the others, asked me to dance. He knows I am a beginner, but he was a wonderful leader. After we finished he said that I was a fast learner and that he was impressed. I was flattered to know that my craziness in taking this chance is paying off.

When I came to Poland, I struggled with how to get involved and how to make friends. Everything was so overwhelming that I didn't know how to reach out. Because of this initial challenge with getting settled, I am even more thankful for my friendship with Maria and how she has encouraged me to go out of my comfort zone. I am also grateful for anyone who is willing to speak in English with me-regardless of their level. Though it has taken many months, I finally feel like I have some small niche here. I finally feel like I have a place where I belong.

Blessings,
Colleen