1602  Recuerdos de Buenos Aires 7/6

Date: Sat, 26 Jul 2003 16:10:21 EDT
From: Charles Roques <Crrtango@AOL.COM>
Subject: Recuerdos de Buenos Aires 7/6

Sun. 7/6

This afternoon over to the Fleamarket in Plaza Dorrego in San Telmo. I
recommend a trip there. This is a good one as fleamarkets go. Lots of old jewelry,
some new crafts but mostly old stuff. Saw some cameras, an old Leica and
others, lots of old seltzer bottles with different colored glass, some clad in
metal. Some are quite beautiful but heavy so have to think twice about bringing one
back. Nothing is very cheap relatively speaking of course, but a lot of
bargains anyway and at least authentic, and many things with printed and stamped
references to Argentina and Buenos Aires which of course will give it a touch of
the exotic once back home in the states or elsewhere. A lot of pricier
antique stores in the area as well. Stopped in a local dive and had pasta, found a
couple of CDs and some post cards and tango posters. Streets full of people and
small "tango" shows, mostly bad and theatrical, for the tourists. Even though
I am a photographer I still have to shoot discreetly as many of the street per
formers charge you for taking their photo. Because of the depressed economy
many people are creative and industrious about making money and posing for
photos is one of the sources of income. Most of it is a little too corny for me
anyway so I shoot the architecture and look for gifts. Later back home as I look
at the contact sheets I see some shots worth enlarging. Hmm - might have
anough to mount a show. Will see what happens in the darkroom.

Later in the afternoon to Gavito's apt. where he holds court. Although I
don't dance like him or emulate his style, I have learned from him over the years
indirectly and we have become friends.

He told a funny story (and cautionary tale) which is worth passing on.

He spoke about seeing a particularly pompous young dancer who was full of
himself showing off at milongas and also noticed that he had gone around putting
up posters announcing a "Master Class." So Carlos decided to drop in and see
what it was about. When he walked in the dancer was noticeably flustered and
chagrined about seeing him there and asked him anxiously why he had come. Gavito
replied that since it was being offered as a class for "masters" perhaps he
should take it and see if he could learn something. Well of course the dancer
was extremely nervous about him being there and didn't manage to teach the
class very well.

And needless to say he never put up any more posters for "master classes." :-)

Some Chicago tangueros there also as well as another New Yorker and the
famous Scotsman Johnnie Walker. A pleasant afternoon. Back to the cupula for a nap,
some dinner later then out to Porteno Y Bailarin where we all meet up again.
P y B is down the street from El Beso but will go there later this week. P y B
has two small dance floors at right angles to each other (one in rear) and is
usually very crowded. Not for the faint at heart on a busy night. But also a
challenge for navigational skills. I'm impressed by some of these older guys
who seamlessly maneuver through the crowd. Saw El Pibe again, can't seem to
avoid him, he has been all the places I've been so far. Sorry folks but I won't
be revealing any dirt on him in these posts. He knows me and the tango world is
too small, at least the Bs As/NYC connection.
The ventilation at P y B is not so good so the smoke is heavy. No way to
really escape it, it comes with the territory.
Finally arrived home about 5:00 AM, early for a change :-)

Tomorrow - hunt for CDs and some books. Stay tuned.

Hasta entonces,
Charles