2212 Advice Request for Tango Mommy
Date: Wed, 4 Feb 2004 01:46:55 -0800
From: Nola Tango <tutu4tango@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Advice Request for Tango Mommy
Dear Most wonderful Tango Community,
Calling all Parents, Recent Buenos Aires travelers, and People who just love talking about Tango and giving advice (Hmmm, this seems to include everyone..anyway ) Warning: Very long post.
So my little girl (age 2) and I are traveling down to Buenos Aires. We will probably stay about a year.
I am going with my priorities as follows.
1.) Be a Mama to my most wonderful little girl.
2.) Seriously study Tango
3.) Learn Spanish and another culture.
Questions and Brainstorming
1.) How much (or little) money does one need per month?
a. We can live very inexpensively (cook meals at home, bring cookware, use the library, go to the park, take the bus, etc.)
b. I was told it is possible to find an apartment once you are there for around $150/month(US). I would like to have a small space to practice dancing.
c. Entertainment will consist of going to parks, playgrounds, exploring, walking, taking the bus, kid events, museums, libraries etc. when with the little girl. When in Tango mode I will be attending Practicas, Milongas, and Classes. We won t do much traveling out of the city.
d. My expenses need to include a babysitter or a Nanny. Should I consider a live-in; especially if I am going to Milongas? Another possibility is to live with another parent with a toddler. This works out well since we could just trade off nights or split a babysitter. Any ideas of where I would look for such a situation?
e. I would like to have a cell phone but if it is not possible so be it. How much are we talking for a phone and a modest local plan?
f. Perhaps some official Spanish lessons though I was thinking of doing an English/Spanish barter.
g. How much are privates with higher level teachers? Recommendations? What about Classes? Practicas? Milongas?
2.) I wish to make a transition by living at a Home-stay the first month or two and then transitioning to an apartment. Once again a family with kids would be great. My daughter loves being with kids of all ages. I like community living, especially in an unfamiliar place.
3.) I have heard mixed reviews about Tango hostels (with a private room of course.) Some places claim to be kid friendly. (Garden House for example)
4.) Any suggestions of kid friendly neighborhoods? From what I have seen in other places/cultures-> Working-class/Middle Class combos might be the best since there are people out and about instead of behind closed doors.
5.) Does anyone know any other folks with kids living in Buenos Aires? Knowledge of pre-schools or playgroups?
6.) The luxury of time will make it so I won t need to jump off the plane and into dance shoes. Once again my daughter is my main priority. There is a possibility my current babysitter will come with us of awhile which will give my girl transition time and will allow me some dance time straight off.
7.) I love following and I love leading. I starting learn both concurrently from the beginning. I have been enthralled by watching and listening to the many who dance and teach the conversation Brigitta, Luciana, Steven Paine etc. Will I have an opportunity to lead and learn these things in BsAs? Is there anywhere I can lead (without being booed or dragged off)?
8.) I love variety in dancing. How should I deal with Milongas and especially the Milangueros? I heard I should not do ANYTHING not led. Very passive. I can do this and learn a lot from this. But is that all there is to it? What about Noveau Tango? Am I out of Luck or what?
9.) Any other advice for a fairly street smart (I have lived in NYC, Boston, and Paris) woman in BsAs?
10.) I am 5 11 so therefore over 6 feet with heels. Are the heights of men shorter in Argentina? And do they care? In Salsa, they don t care in fact there are things they love about it!
11.) And of course any information on getting dances. Will I be sitting there for 5 days. Does this mean I stay at the same Milonga? This is always one thing I love about leading, I always get to dance. I feel especially silly sitting around though I do adore watching other dancers. The gaze thing is pretty cool in my book but how do they feel about foreigners using it? How do they feel about women initiating the gaze?
Either post if your answer will be of general interest or email us at tutu4tango@yahoo.com I will post a follow-up if anyone is interested. And thanks for any advice or contact info.
Most Sincerely,
Nola and Raven of Portland, Oregon (USA)
Date: Wed, 4 Feb 2004 21:05:13 +0900
From: astrid <astrid@RUBY.PLALA.OR.JP>
Subject: Re: Advice Request for Tango Mommy
> So my little girl (age 2) and I are traveling down to Buenos Aires. We
will probably stay about a year.
>
> I am going with my priorities as follows.
>
> 1.) Be a Mama to my most wonderful little girl.
>
> 2.) Seriously study Tango
>
> 3.) Learn Spanish and another culture.
>
(umpteen questions follow,including one about how to behave at milongas and
where and whether one can learn how to lead (and follow) "from the
beginning".
I have stored lots of info on BA in a folder, but frankly, Nola, I am
getting the impression,that you have not thought this over very well, and I
would strongly suggest that you stay home for at least a few more months,
while you you check out more clearly what you about to get yourself into,
accompanied by your innocent, unsuspecting little girl.
Astrid
(who has moved to and lived for a length of timein another country twice)
Date: Wed, 4 Feb 2004 11:46:48 -0800
From: Nola Tango <tutu4tango@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Advice Request for Tango Mommy
Now I truly feel part of Tango-L since I have been flamed by Astrid!
(wink!)
On a serious note, I believe you are misinterpreting this grammatically incorrect sentence: I starting learn both concurrently from the beginning
Should be:
I started to learn both (leading and following) concurrently from the beginning, in 1995
-Nola
p.s. Much thanks to all the folks who have written with advice and tremendous support.
