Rueda 101 - for dummies and uncos (uncoordinated people)..

Week four and it is amazing how many turns we are learning. Rueda really helps improve my Salsa - I feel more at ease with the beat and listen more to the music - the turns and steps become easier.

This week we learnt another four calls - they were

Adios, Adios con hermana, Paso espanol, Torit, Torito con mentira

We usually start in one very large circle consisting of about 15 couples. The instructor will lead the calling - going over the calls we have covered in the previous three classes. The caller sometimes calls a number of calls in combination, which keeps the group on their toes. More often than not, someone will miss a call or grab the wrong partner. This happens all the time and is all part of the fun of the Rueda.

The class is then broken up into smaller groups of 4-5 couples. Each member of the group has a turn at calling. Now that we have learnt a few calls it is getting to be a bit more interesting and certainly more difficult. It is amazing how often Castigala comes up when the guys are calling. Castigala translates something like "punish her", and is basically an Enchufla with a decoration. The decoration being the guys attempts to spank the girls on the bum as they pass to the next guy. Note - attempt - most of the girls are very good at avoiding the hand.