Fiesta del Rio! Cultural Opportunity #2!!

It was time to dance last night at the Fiesta del Rio on Peoria's Riverfront! I was invited by my friend last night to go out Salsa dancing with a group out on the Riverfront. I went with my boyfriend, Justin Hagan, since we are both taking Ballroom dancing lessons. We know how to Waltz, Foxtrot, Swing, Rumba, Tango, and Samba... but we had no clue how to Salsa. We thought we might learn or attempt for the cultural experience. We waited for a while until the live Mexican/Latino Band was ready and they spoke in Spanish and some English so it was a little confusing to figure out what kind of song they were going to play. We had to guess and follow what everyone around us was doing. The first dance was one that Justin and I did not know. Thankfully we were surrounded by our friends who actually had a clue so we followed them and it was very interesting. We figured out how to do some of these steps by watching and it was funny at first! In between songs, the speakers would announce the next song and type of dance. I know that there was a lot of Salsa which was good for Justin and I. Honestly, to dance to this, as long as you know your few basic steps, the rest you can make up and it looks awesome! As we danced, since the style is so smooth, it felt like we were floating. I also got the courage to go up on stage with all my friends and we danced with a really good Latino dancer. Oh man.... we looked so bad and uncoordinated compared to her. It came so natural to her because of her culture and since she was taught how to do this as such a young age. It was amazing! I have danced all my life but to try all these new kinds of dances and experience a culture like this was so eye-opening! I had an amazing time and I am so thankful I was able to go and have fun doing something new! :)

Here are a few pictures!!

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