It's been a while....

As a performing artist, my desire to delve into the writing world feels like an uncomfortable dance shoe, but one thing that the practice of writing does, is create a slower paced reflection of a moment in time.

At the beginning of November, my husband (cajon player and bike freak) and I headed to Spain once again. I was returning to study in Granada at the amazing school for Flamenco, Carmen de Las Cuevas. I have been to Carmen numerous times before, but this trip was to complete a specialized Tablao program. In this program, I took almost three hours of technique and chorography each day and had a private tutor (Maria) to give me feedback on my prepared solo. I came with a Tientos, hoping that it would be acceptable enough to perform with live musicians. In addition to those dance specific courses, my husband and I took private cajon (percussion instrument) classes with Pedro.

While as an aging dancer, I did notice that my body needed more time to recover than in the past. I have said that I feel like dance is a separate partner in my life. Taking me to places and challenging me in ways that I never would have done without it being the focus of my attention. While my dancing was extremely satisfying, I found that my connection to people on this trip was the most impactful. There were: the youthful, supportive and energetic peer students Agus, Rajeev, and Marina; the wonderfully supportive staff; teachers (Maria, Javier, Macarena, Esther, Pilar and many more) owners Nacho and Carmen, office staff and musicians; the new friends we met Eva, John, Manu, Faraelle, and so many more; and our Madrid Family Carlos, Marta, Tio Fer, Tia Carmen and the girls. How can coming into contact with all these people and more feel so much like home? My Spanish teacher who we also met up with on this trip, Hector, said that we travel to new places and become a little like a ficus. Our branches drop out of the tree and create new roots. He says traveling and REALLY making connections is a little like this, we create new roots in new places.

I was a little sad upon my return and was missing ALL of my Spanish family. But, I am lucky enough to have a wonderful community of people to create with and loads of people who love me, so it made the transition a bit easier. My last thought is that I hope everyone can have this experience, people who help you feel like you belong, where ever you are.