Buenos Aires Tour 2008

10/6/08 We arrived in Buenos Aires on Sunday 29th June, and plan on taking the group for a short tour of San Telmo, the neighborhood we are staying in. In the evening we are planning on visiting Club Gricel for the groups first Milonga in Buenos Aires.

2nd July

We had a good flight, except for the delay of 11 hours in Sydney due to heavy fog in Buenos Aires, delaying all plans out of Bs As. To kill a bit of time in Sydney, some of the group went off to visit the Rocks, while Ross, Anton, Karen and myself visited the local Cinema to see Get Smart – A good movie to put us in good spirits.

We finally arrived in Buenos Aires at 1.00am Monday morning. Luckily I was able to delay our mini bus and all went smoothly after we arrived.

Our first day commenced at 9.30am Monday morning where we took the group into the city (subte strike) via taxi, bus and good old walking. The girls enjoyed shoe shopping and cloths shopping, and the men had patience of Job. (Anton just made the comment that they suffered).

Our first milonga was El Arranque, where within 10 minutes we were all dancing with the locals. Madonna was the first off the rank, followed by Sandra, Jenny, Manisha and then the scene was set and the girls did not stop dancing the whole afternoon. Malcolm, made us proud by miradaing the green eyed beauty (who last year gave Anton the evil eye) for a dance, and the nob of acceptance was received, and he moved along the dance floor with confidence. Anne has already commence training with Fabricio and has ranked in 2 classes so far.

Tonight we are off to Dinner with the group after a day of more shopping, classes and eating.

5th July

We had a great meal at San Telmo Plaza with the group, with everyone agreeing that the steak is the best they have ever tasted, and the deserts are to die for. After dinner, some of us went to a Milonga close by, Dandi, and all of us danced for a few hours with the portenos. A few of the group opted for some salsa – so all in all a great night was had by everyone. Oh yes……. Not only has Madonna found she loves the food here, she has also found a latin lover (just for dancing with of course).

Thursday night Madonna & Anne went to Nino Bien, and the girls danced through to the early hours of the morning. Luda went to Confeteria Ideal and never stopped dancing. (Madonna’s latin lover was there, and was kind enough to take the girls home)

We are very proud of the whole group, as they have really captured the art of the mirada, and enjoying dancing tango with all the portenos. They have thanked us for the close embrace classes, and advice we have given them back at home, as these classes were beneficial to them being able to enjoy themselves with more confidence at the milongas and on the dance floor.

The day at the ranch was truly a great day (the weather was a bit cold). The Folkloric Show was a real treat, and the food was excellent (Parilla – sausages, chicken, steak with salads, wine and ice-cream for desert. Pasta was served for those who were vegetarian). Sandra, Gail, Jenny and Wayne went horse riding, while the others took in the sights of the ranch.

Tonight we are off to a class with Stella Barba, then to Maipu 444 for a milonga.

13th July

Can’t believe how quick the week has passed. Some of the group came down with the flu, but all seem to be recovering well, some would not rest as they wanted to squeeze as many milongas in as possible. Luda, Gail & Penny went to Uruguay (Colonia) for the day and enjoyed the change of scenery. The rest of the group are off to Uruguay on Monday. Luda, Gail & Penny has flown the nest for a few days to take in the beautiful Iguazu Falls.

Nino Bien is a popular milonga this year for the group, with everyone dancing non stop. The girls are very popular and actually turning down dances (can you believe it!!!!!!). The girls are all being complimented on the quality of their dancing, which has come from their hard work from classes and practica.

We all went to Carlos Gardel show on Tuesday evening, with the group agreeing it was a highlight of their holiday here in Buenos Aires.

Due to popular demand, Friends of Tango have opened a retail outlet for Tango clothing, shoes and CDs. I have spent several days shopping for clothing and shoes to ensure the tango community of Brisbane can purchase the latest in Tango clothing with a continual supply all year round.

Classes for Ross and I are going well. We are doing approx 2 private lessons and 1 group lesson a day and fitting in an afternoon milonga or evening milonga each day.

Our performance is happening in a few weeks, at Maipu 444, with our teachers and milonga organisers getting quite excited about it (for me, the nerves are starting to kick in).

The weather has been fantastic, not too cold, but have been told a cold snap is on its way.

20th July

It was a great week,  but went by so fast. 

We went to Salon Canning on Thursday night to see the orchestra “El Arranque” and performance by Claudio & Melina and Fernado – stage champion winner of the 2007 World Championships. Both orchestra and performance was great to see.   I enjoyed a tanda with Augusto – WOW, so my night was complete. Gloria, Jenny & Madonna went to Ideal, to dance and hear a band as well.

We had a wonderful farewell night dining at a smorgasboard restaurant with the group.   I lost count of how many deserts we consumed, and could not eat for the next day. 

It was extremly difficult on Friday to get the group on the bus…….as they all wanted to stay, and we also would have loved them to stay on with us.  For us it was sad to say goodbye to our friends, but it will be great to see them all again in a few weeks.

Our new group arrived on Friday afternoon, and we spent the day on Saturday giving them a tour of the city and shoe shopping.  A day of rest for everyone on Sunday, as they visited the markets of La Boca and San Telmo at their own pace.

31st July

Everyone is settled in nicely, and enjoying the shopping, food, dancing and classes.  

The Big Night – After a few weeks of intense training, our big night arrived and we performed at La Marshall Milonga on Wednesday night.  We danced  1 Tango and 1 milonga con traspie.   Many of our teachers and friends here in Buenos Aires came to support us, as well as many of the group that are here with us.   The performance went very well, with the crowd giving us the thumbs up and many congratulations on how beautiful our performance was.   It was an honour to be invited to perform in one the most popular milongas in Bs As. 

The group have enjoyed some beautiful weather, but as usual, the cold n flu has kicked in with a few of the group, but are all now up and in full swing.

Luda has returned back to Bs As after spending 3 weeks in Peru/Brasil, and is happy to be back in Buenos Aires.

Wendy and Elaine are enjoying many classes and have enjoyed the milongas, and  even hired a taxi dancer on the odd ocassion. 

We are off to Salon Canning tonight to see the orchestra, San Sousi and Aurora Lubiz perfrom.

8th August

On Wedneday evening, 10 of us went to see Corporacion Tango perform at the Teatra La Cuba, and the show magnificent and was enjoyed by all. 

Anton has achieved his goal this year, and that was to make the waiter (who looks like the butler in faulty towers) crack a smile.   Last year he tried everything but this year he finally cracked it, and now has a friend forever – well done Anton!

Unfortunately, John & Debra have been sick most of the time while on holidays, but the times they have been well, they have enjoyed it a lot.  Lisa is excited with shoes being made to fit her feet (size 3.5).  Anne can`t seem to shake the flu she caught in the UK, and Sarah`s recovering from a sprained ankle.

Our holiday has come to an end, with bags packed and everyone doing their last minute shopping.  We had a very nice farewell dinner last night with Fabricio & Cele and Vivianna  attending.