Cueca

Hi all!

This week hasn't been that exciting, I am getting into the routine of teaching now and it takes me less time to plan classes. The week was pretty full on, as I did't finish class until 9pm (or later) three nights of the week. But I guess it keeps me out of trouble.

On Thursday night I went out to dance cueca, the national dance, with three of my Chilean friends. Well to be fair, I didn't really know that we were going out dancing as the message was pretty much, "what are you doing, come have a drink, take a taxi to this address"... but I soon found out when I got there. They tricked me really, but it was all good.

Cueca is a strange semi-choreographed dance to strange 6/8 music. It is meant to depict the rooster chasing the hen, and the hen being evasive and elusive until he eventually catches her at the end. The rooster displays his affections by advanging on the hen twirling a hankie high above his head while the hen uses her hankie more like a shield to be coy with him.

It started in the mid 1800's in the barrios or Chile and was very popular. Then when Pinochet was in power he declared it the national dance to try and raise patriotism for the country, and apparently until recently many people have associated it with his regime. However, it was also used as a form of protest during those years, as groups of women would dance it solo to represent the many men who 'disappeared' under Pinochet. There are regional variations according to where you are dancing it too apparently. It is back to being fairly popular now though, especially on national independence day and other national holidays.

Anyway, its harder than it looks! And we were in a bar where everyone knew what they were doing (and apparently they learn it at school). My friends tried to teach me, but I wasn't the fastest learner. It doesn't help that they are teaching me in Spanish, and of course with it being loud, I am trying to understand and translate what they are saying in my head, while keeping my legs, hands, hips and hankie all under control and listen to the music. Its a bit tricky! I had fun though. We had a bit of a problem that we were one guy and three girls at our table, and you really need a partner. As I was left alone at the table some unfortunate fellow asked me to dance... they do this by waving their hankie at you which I find extremely amusing. Anyway, I tried to explain in my wonderful spanish that I would like to dance but didn't really have a clue what to do, and I think he understood (poor chap). Anyway, I was concentrating so hard on what my feet were doing and trying not to run into anyone that I got a bit over-zealous with my hankie waving and flicked the poor guy in the eye with the corner of it - which really hurts! Oopps. At least I didn't stand on his feet I guess.... So I had a lot of fun. And my friends tell me that I have to practice so that I can dance at dieceocho (18th Septemeber - national day with a massive party and lots of cueca in the street). We will see. First I need to learn to keep my hankie under control...

Had a despidida (farewell) for one of the teachers last night. Conner is going back to the states to do a graduate degree in something. Was nice to go out and understand what was going on (all in English) and be able to make conversation with new people really. I had almost forgotton what it was like to no have to sit in the corner concentrating like crazy and only ever understanding about half of what was going on.... So I had a fun night.

Anyway, I have quite a bit of class planning to do for the week ahead, and a test to write (oh joy).
Chao chao!
The uncoordinated flightless bird who cannot make conversation with anyone (really what have I got going for me?!).