Dancesport

Drove home last night from Orlando Airport, got home around 11 PM.  Had to get up at 5 AM to go in for a long day at work. 

Gawd, I'm tired.

But the Caribbean Dancesport Classic was a hit!

But I had a great time and would do it again in a heartbeat.  There's nothing like the fear of getting out on the dance floor to compete to make you forget everything else!

I did OK, though I might have done better had I not worked up to the day before leaving, had a long day of travel, and then discovered how good the mojitos were.

First great thing.  The timing was right.  Got to the El San Juan Resort, and had to wait a bit for my be ready.  Walked down a long corridor to the end before finding my room.  I thought...well, at least it's far from the elevator and ice machine.  There won't be much foot traffic.  When I opened the door, I was in a suite.  Maybe a bridal suite.  A large anteroom with a patio and table, and a separate bedroom.  Two bathrooms, two TVs (which never got turned on), a huge bed...it was heaven.

Went down to meet the resat of the crew from Jacksonville, had a few drinks to begin the party.  The next day we danced in competition, and in the afternoon, a couple of us walked the beach, then took a taxi into Old San Juan for what may have been the highlight of the trip.

The next day, more competitive dancing.  At the end, my instructor Tom got something in his eye, and it was very painful for the rest of the day.  I assured him it would probably heal quickly.  I was wrong, so we spent the next day in the emergency department of the local hospital.  I realized early on that if it had been me, my proof of insurance was in my other purse back in Jacksonville.  Something to remember for further travels.  Because of that, we wound up missing the rainforest trip, but plan on doing that another day.

The last evening was a cocktail reception and dinner, with dancing and awards.  Some of the best smooth and rhythm pairs in the world competed against each other for honors.  In between, the rest of us took over the floor and danced.  It was great fun.  Did I mention there were mojitos?

Juan de Dios Garcia and Cari Jo Garcia won the International Salsa Contest...and just about everything else in the rhythm section.  They're at the top of the food chain.  Amazing.  The dancing was fabulous.  I'll never approximate it, but I'm no pro.  I'll practice and get better.  And go to the gym. 

The bodies were either tight and amazing, or you wanted to shield your eyes.  I'm not going skimpy until I tighten up. The men all looked the same.  Either Latin and a bit oily, or very Teutonic.  The women ranged from drop-dead gorgeous (but all the pros in very over-the-top makeup, complete with huge false eyelashes), as I said before, to turn-you-to-stone Medusa-types.

Can't wait to go back.

[Image from Caribbean Dancesport Classic]

Comments

[LC]

I want to hear MUCH more - and see pictures! What a great adventure! Thanks for sharing, and congrats! Did you meet any Puerto Ricans? Some of the loveliest folks on earth!

[Stryder]

Yay! That's my Riannan!!! Congratulations! Like LC, I look forward to hearing more.