Dancing the La Cueca

I was waving a silk handkerchief with rose petals as my dance teacher waved hers high above her head. She played the ¨man¨ role while I continued being the lady without rhythm. The 3 steps of the dance are guided by louder and louder music until the 3rd step, when everyone stomps their feet and twirls in circles. Partners end, arm and arm, with smiles and rosy cheeks. Frustrated by not feeling so rhythmic, I was encouraged by Pablo and friends to keep practicing. We need to be ready for 18 de septiembre! More on that later... 

The dance floor was crowded with Chileans, and gringos, dancing to the live music all night. We heard a little merengue and cumbia but the dance floor filled with slightly intoxicated, cunados, Chileans when the band played the first notes of the cueca.

Each region of Chile has a slightly different version of this popular, and original, dance. I can catch on to the salsa, the merengue and even the cumbia. The cueca is tough. The 2 steps - 1 step and circling just don't feel natural. But, I keep twirling my panuelo and doing a jig with my feet. Why not? I am dancing with fun new friends who are having a blast teaching me the ways of the Chilean dance.

And when the Pisco is flowing and the terremoto shakes the laughter from silly dancing, I feel right. Right at home. I don't even remember the names of all the people I met last night. Sorry!! Sometimes, learning names is just as tough as learning new Chilean phrases. I will learn them because I LOVED our night out last night.

How did I end up there? All thanks to Laura and Seba. I have not even met Seba but now, I am friends with his colleague, Pablo. And Pablo, with his awesome mustache and swag, is too cool. We are going to be friends, he says. That may have been after a few terremotos…

Oh, we went to Huaso Enrique where the tables were packed with close friends and family. There were speeches, celebrations, and a fun spirit to prepare for 18 de septiembre.


Anyone that has traveled in South America knows that coffee is Nescafe. WHAT? How do people drink fake coffee? No idea.

Luckily, the lovely Chilean-Australian Claudio and his friend Christian opened a roasting house called Original. Its near Parque Bustamente off the Baquedano metro stop. LOVE them. The coffee is quite strong but a dream compared to the terror that is Nescafe.

Can`t wait to sip a latte and plan English lessons & develop my business plan.

You heard that right...