I danced my night away!

Sunday, 14th on July 2021

Some of you might call me crazy for venturing out into the crowds of sweaty people dancing their night away in the centre of London, and I’ve already seen some scared comments on my noise post about it, but I care not. One thing I missed THE MOST in the time of pandemic is salsa - my happy pill.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I don’t believe that covid exists or that it can be dangerous for many, but I also believe that we are all adults and as such are able to make our own decisions. How much longer can we live in fear?

By now majority of people in England, who chose to do so are already vaccinated. I myself have chosen not to for the time being. Some of you may know that I already had covid at the beginning of pandemic and having the antibodies for me is like having been vaccinated. I also take good care of my immune system, making sure I strengthen it with healthy food, supplements and herbs. Dancing, exercising, hugging and being happy can only add goodness and strength to my body.

Last weekend I attended a solo salsa workshops - 1 hour of footwork and 1 hour of ladies styling. It was amazing to be back in my dance shoes and sweating like I haven’t in a long time, but social dancing is what I love even more. The workshops only made me more hungry!

Still, I had doubts before I left last night. Firstly my friend who I was hoping to meet there messaged me earlier yesterday and I knew he was going. We dance a lot together at the parties and have been doing so for years, so I was slightly disappointed that he won’t be there. Secondly I was wondering what will be people behaving like? Will they be scared? Will they be willing to swap partners or will they stick to their circles? Going there on my own was a little risky, but it was the risk I decided to take and I am so so happy that I did.

At 7:30pm I just finished my dinner and was chatting to my friend who wasn’t going, when he suddenly said he’s hoping that I’m not texting and driving. S***, in my doubts I kinda forgot about the time! I guess that was then when I decided to go. I took a quick shower and put my make up for the first time since the picnic party at my friend that I attended couple of months ago. I already felt more alive than in the past few months. Of course I forgot that I had barely any fuel in my car, so I had to plan for refuelling stop.

At the petrol station I quickly fuelled the car just enough to get me there and back and made it to a round number, so I can quickly drop the bank note and be on my merry way. I stormed into the shop to pay, but there was a little queue. When I joined it, the man in front of me stepped to the side and asked me to go in front of him. I do this often when I see people with little product while I have a huge shopping cart, but until today it almost never happened to me. What a perfect timing though! I was so happy, I could hug the men! It made my night and also reassured me that I made the right decision to go.

So good to be back with my salsa family!

Seeing surprised and happy faces of the organises, who are my dear friends too made it all worthwhile. They shake their heads in admiration, knowing that I travel 70 miles from Southampton to central London to attend their parties. I was definitely not the only crazy one though. After the party finished I had a chat with a girl who travelled from Scotland just for this one party!

What can one do? Many parties were scheduled and cancelled for various covid related reasons and I was so ready to take my happy pill again! Not much is happening in Southampton at the moment and there are many great dancers in London, plus they always welcome me with open arms and hearts. Jean embraced me in a big hug. She said she was cautious about hugging and hesitant whether it’s a time to go back to dancing yet, but she’s so happy to see me and such a great turnout in general. Many many people were ready to go back to dancing and she urged me to the dance floor, as there were more man than women for once!

My last salsa party was in February 2020 in the exact same venue. Being there again last night felt like pandemic never happened and I was there just yesterday. I barely managed to put on my dance shoes, when the first man stood in front of me, asking for a dance. My shoulder hasn’t fully healed after breaking it in February, I gained many too many kilograms plus I knew the guy standing in front of me was about to make me sweat, but I didn’t hesitate a second. That was one hell of a warmup!

This hasn’t stopped till the party was over! Doubts? What doubts? Everyone danced with everyone and the only issue turned out to be me. I’m so unfit, I had to sit through a few dances, because after 2 or 3 in a row, I couldn’t catch my breath 😅

Do I know your name?

What hit me the most is how many people’s faces I knew for years, but I didn’t know their names. It never used to matter much for me in the past, but in the last year or so things changed and I make it a point to remember people’s names and use them in conversations.

Take the guy, who asked me for the first, the last and many dances in between. The picture of us above was taken 10 years ago. This is how long I’ve known him. He is a very experienced dancer and I often see great lady dancers lining up to dance with him. He makes sure to always catch me for a dance at every party we attend and last night he said I made his night with all the dances we had, yet I don’t know his name. The same goes for many other people. We say hello, give each other hugs, dance together, chit chat afterwards, but if I’m not friends with them on crapbook I don’t know their names 🙈 This has to change!

I am one happy girl!

Walking back to my car after the party I felt like walking on air. I was sweaty and the endorphins were rushing throughout my body. I had so many incredible dances and even today the smile doesn’t leave my face for a second.

Who know what the future brings? We might have another lockdown in Autumn or Winter. Right now we have a window of opportunity to dance again and I am sure to make the most of it!

Until next time 💙