Tuesday, December 1: Bolero

(Left) forward, back, back, stop; (right) back, forward, forward, stop. This is the man’s basic step in Bolero, a very slow, rumba-type dance I had never done before. It’s smooth and lyrical and quite beautiful and since it’s based on a three count (like so many dances), I’ve grown to think of it as a Brazilian waltz (although that’s a misnomer because it’s in four quarter time). We learned this basic step and three others – more complicated – today in our morning and afternoon dance classes. After the evening show – John Christie, the aging star, still licking his lips and winking at the audience: “if you only knew wa, what I’m going through wa” – we went to the Lounge for an hour of Latin dancing hosted by Fernando and Nayara and Sasha and Olena. Fernando and Nayara began by dancing the salsa and after they showed everyone what could be done (although it would take years and special talent to do the things they did), no one felt comfortable, including me, entering the dance floor. I sat in the audience with Anne, from South Africa, and we talked about how lucky Americans are because, as she said, “everything works in your country. In South Africa, if something doesn’t work – and there are many things that don’t – we just put up with it. In America, you would never do that. So I like America because everything works in your country.” She’s planning a trip from east to west in the US next summer and trying to decide whether to take it by Greyhound bus or train. Wait until she hits a Greyhound bus.
(Left) side, together, side, stop; (right) side, together, side, stop. Today was another beautiful day, warm and clear, without the captain’s predicted storm. Late in the morning we passed some rocky islands off the starboard side. The captain told us their names but I wasn’t fast enough getting my pad out of my back pocket and locating a pen to accomplish writing them down. Approximately 600 miles from Brazil, they looked like desolate lumps of volcanic rock – no water, no life, just milestones on the way to Rio. But they may have been comforting to Portuguese sailors on their round trips; at least we’ve sighted something. After lunch, we had another of Lorraine’s extravaganzas, called the “Shipboard Fair.” The crew set up stations on the pool deck where guests could compete at a variety of games: throwing hula hoops around the dance kids who were in the pool, trying to cover a crew member by throwing tamales covered with whipped cream at him, carrying two martini glasses on a tray across a designated space without spilling the contents. It was all rather silly but everyone got into it. I took some photographs and then retired for a nap.
(Left) forward, back, back, stop. (Right) cross behind, forward, forward, stop. There are never enough ladies in dance class to keep both Heinz and me busy. If there’s one Solo, Heinz jumps right in to take her as a partner. I learn the step myself and then try to help other couples having trouble. Once in a while, Fernando, feigning a modest lady by cringing and holding out a delicate hand, dances with me. He never looks at me, concentrating instead on what the other couples are doing. He’s has what I think of as a typical Brazilian body: short and stocky. But holding him is like trying to hold a panther, all lithe and muscular. I enjoy the classes but we learn something new every day. That’s not really long enough for the muscle memory to set in. And by the time we get around to doing the dance at night, I can’t remember the steps.
(Left) forward, back, back, stop. (Right) cross behind, forward, forward. Lola and Roland, the interracial couple from Arlington, always come to class. He’s not as good at picking up the steps as she is. They make a funny pair because he’s much taller than she is and struggling to learn they often remind me of two penguins trying to avoid each other’s feet.
(Left) forward, back, back, stop. (Right) cross behind, forward, forward. (Right) cross over left, back, back. This puts you shoulder to shoulder with your partner, dancing outside each other instead of facing each other. Dinner was a little like that. The table included Heinz and Patrick (of the British manor, always now just a little bit drunk), Diane (from outside Tampa), Margot (with a T) who argued with Diane about the color of key limes – one said they were yellow and the other said they were green; neither would give up – Ellie (of the emeralds), slid into her martini and said her food was tasteless, and Lise (not Elise) who has already five cruises booked for 2010. I had neglected Lise and Diane in my efforts to keep Gabrielle company, so chose to sit between them (anything to keep me away from Patrick and Margot, with the T). We agreed that the Regency program of rewarding guests for levels of nights accumulated was a great marketing idea. While the privileges themselves seem silly, everyone loves to get them (and to talk about them). Margot (with a T) is only one night shy of titanium and begged Regency to give her that level but they’re firm and she was miffed. We heard a lot about it at dinner.
Do one basic step, then (right) spin, step, step; (left) spin, step, step and so on, as the Bolero became more complicated. I guess I’d make a good member of the dance chorus. I get the steps immediately but then never get to use them. And I’ve decided that I really don’t like dancing. The after dinner dancing was all Latin, which I used to love. I sat in the audience while Fernando and Nayara moved around selecting partners, and Sasha tried to compete with Fernando by using his complete bag of tricks with Olena. Heinz jiggled – the best way to describe his style in any dance – through all the selections while I slunk off to bed. I’ll probably get demerits. But I’ll be safe (should I care) so long as I’m in with Titanium Gabrielle
(Left) side together side; (right) side together side. The other couple that always comes for dance lessons is the gay couple, Bob and Marty. I’ve described them before but here’s a reminder: Bob is Latin and short. Marty is Jewish and tall. Bob takes the woman’s part; Marty leads. Bob gets it before Marty. They’re married and each describes the other as his husband.
(Left) side together, side. Gabrielle told me that Joe, of the body and crew cut, half of the other gay couple aboard, “owns hotels.” And she (already titanium) has been invited by the captain to join him on the bridge for sailing into Rio.
(Right) cross over left, spin, basic side to side. At last count, I had recorded over 75 names of those to whom I’ve been introduced. Keeping them all straight in my mind (left, back, back, forward, spin) is a little like dancing: dizzying. But as my mother used to say, “I’m doing the best I can.” Ole!
Stay tuned.