Tango in Edinburgh and Barcelona

I met Kay, a fellow lover of tango, in Edinburgh last May. I had danced under Gisela Navoni’s direction in Hereford and picked up information about TangoNeta. Kay wanted a break between MSc and PhD and a trip to Barcelona seemed to fit the bill.

I travelled to Edinburgh on Friday and enjoyed the company of Kay’s friends Irene and Anna as well as some lovely tango dancing. Sunday afternoon in particular was a delightful experience (with cakes!)

We flew to Barcelona late on Monday and settled into our apartment in Barceloneta just 10 minutes walk from where TangoNeta would be held and 10 minutes from the beach. A ground floor apartment with local shops and a big market close by. On Tuesday we had a private lesson from Gisela in her apartment just off Las Ramblas. She is such a good teacher and a vibrant personality, with a wonderful welcoming smile. The rest of Tuesday was sight-seeing but the general strike closed all public buildings on the Wefdnesday and so we were forced to spend the day on the beach – such hardship.

Gisela told us of milongas, for Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

Thursday to Sunday was TangoNeta, which is held at least once a year. It is a series of workshops with a difference, in that there is no specific teaching of steps. There is a new theme each time it is held and this one used Distance. It is not concerned with where you put your feet but where your head needs to be! Great workshops and lovely informal dancing – new friends made. Altogether a supportive atmosphere and great camaraderie.
One evening as we were returning after the milonga, there was a band still playing in the square and we danced a little – part jive, part tango. A man came across to us and eventually I made out…baillar muy bien…We then became good friends. Gracia, Senor!

Monday was for more sight-seeing before we were back on the flight to Edinburgh, and the next day the train back home.

It was a lovely break, cemented the genuine friendship between Kay and I and she won’t let me put her photo on this blog.