64  A steamy 4th in St Louis

Date: Fri, 6 Jul 2001 12:03:54 -0500
From: Karen Whitesell <kglass@MNTVERNON.NET>
Subject: A steamy 4th in St Louis

Hi all,

Just wanted to report on a great milonga held at Lourdes' Roof Top Milonga
in St Louis. The panoramic view on top of 17 floors on an apartment
building across from Forest Park with scattered sidewalk cafes below put me
as close to New York City as I have ever been in a long time.

The group was small, but intimate, a perfect size for sharing space with
other non dancers there for the watching of the fireworks across the
skyscape at the Arch.

As usual, a few good men kept a lot of good women satisfied in tango. The
night air gave no relief as our sweaty bodies competed for that one brief
moment when a slight breeze would worm its way through our close embrace.

Well, only one young man pulled me in for the close embrace. It was
wonderful. Not since Denver's close embrace weekend a year ago Labor Day
had I experienced this tango heaven.

It was during this close embrace dance that I experienced the realization of
being stretched into a forward lean. I felt safe, secure, and no pain. I
don't remember the lead, no lifting I'm sure, all of a sudden, we were apart
and I was suspended in midair. Coming together again, he said, "nice."

It's like I told my friend who went with me and was afraid she couldn't
dance the steps and I said, "don't worry about it, they will lead you to do
the steps." Later with the help of teacher, Roxanne, she proved that she
could lead her to do any step. (Roxanne will be coming to Mt Vernon in
November.)

So, if you are ever in St Louis, Missouri, I hope you can experience the
experienced dancers, the atmosphere, and the ambiance of a Rooftop Milonga.

Tango on,

Karen