After showing up an hour late and still being one of the first few, I met some very tried and true Miamians. I think it has a little to do with the fact that these people get positive endorphins from cycling AND they just love each other so much, but they were so welcoming to this not-so-Miami-girl, me.
Usually in a social atmosphere like Atlanta, there are the few who are shy and the few who are the loud, dancing, maniacs who seem to always give it that "party" vibe. In Miami, even the shy ones get out to dance and yell and salsa with the best of them. SO FUN! I love this kind of party! And i love these kind of dancers. The men swing their hips in a way that has been unknown to me except through Dancing with the Stars. Even though i can't understand the words to the song, i can understand the rhythm. It's impossible to stay still and resist the temptation to join them.
So I'll be honest for a bit and admit that I may be guilty of thinking I'm a better dancer than I really am, but still, throw me beat and I'll make an earnest attempt to replay a scene from Dirty dancing or West side story or an Atlanta based rap video. In Miami, where I know NO ONE, my inhibitions, I must say, are even moreso thrown out the window. In the past, I've fooled myself into thinking my hips don't lie like Shakira's or Beyonce's. But tonight i was thrown into the reality of true Cubans and my salsa turned to a true white girl from the burbs dork dance! ugh - so embarrassing! but OH, so FUN!
Give me some time and some practice... and a partner to lead me around so i dont look like an idiot by myself, and I will fit right in.
Bialamooooos! Let the rhythm take you over, bialamos!
12.12.11
