In 2020, I didn’t practice with my tango teacher. We didn’t meet again for another lesson, so I missed the wonderful and stimulating conversations that happen on the dance floor.
Without actually dancing, though, I learnt lots of tango concepts, embracing the community and the insights flowing from Dance in Conversation events. I have now intuitions and some knowledge, but I certainly lack the experience.
I didn’t go back to Mexico to visit my family. I didn’t take the Eurostar to go to Amsterdam or Paris to meet some of my closest friends. I didn’t meet all the people I care about in London. My walks were restricted to Chiswick, its parks and river banks, where I spent most of the year.
When restrictions got eased briefly, I ventured myself to meet few people, but that came soon to a stop.
My office remained largely empty and my day job was done from the living room, without the chance to invite my colleagues to the kitchen for a cup of tea and catch-ups.
I certainly played my part at not spreading the virus. And I’m proud of it.
Through my screen, I made new friends and connections, but there was no way to shake hands, a gesture that starts feeling so foreign.
I got a lot of free time and I could design and finish this website, and I also found myself writing again.
If I didn’t learn more tango steps, working with Ieva on this project taught me the value of communities. I learnt from her to open my heart wider and be true to ourselves at every step.
If I didn’t dance face to face, I learnt that dancing is way more than that step or the other.
I’m getting -with that dance- into 2021.
