I took my fourth tango lesson yesterday and then stayed for the "practica," which I danced with one of the teachers and with a Frenchman who has been taking a lot of classes. People here say that if you learn about the dance you learn about Argentine culture and about the relationship between men and women. I am sure that I am going to write much more about the tango, but for now I'll just say, "Oh." I am beginning to understand what is so seductive about it. It will take a long time, I see now, to be able to go to a milonga and dance with anyone. But I have learned enough steps to be able to follow someone who knows that I am a beginner. And yesterday they had me lean in, so that my chest was against the man's chest, forming a slight triangle. The idea is to always be facing each other. It's not like other dances where the man sends the woman off on a twirl. You are continuously seeking your partner's core, and following closely his subtle suggestions of when to move backward, when forward, when to cross front, cross back, step over his leg, pivot in place on one leg, or even let yourself be dragged. It requires trust and, for the woman, a cessation of will, which for someone like me is very challenging. That was my first real tango lesson.
Sharene Azimi
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Novel Synopsis
- Minoo’s parents emigrated from Iran to the United States with hopes of living the American dream, but when Minoo goes to college she finds herself emotionally drawn to the country her parents abandoned. She meets the activist Darius and becomes part of the expatriate student movement working to overthrow the Iranian government. During the revolution of 1979, she and Darius return to Tehran to push for democratic reform. But their political views stand in opposition to Ayatollah Khomeini’s vision for an Islamic republic.
- As their friends fall victim to the new regime, Minoo and Darius face a critical decision: to remain in Iran and risk imprisonment and death, or to flee. The choices Minoo makes will haunt her for nearly two decades, until her daughter Zarah begins to unravel the secrets Minoo has kept. Inspired by a true story, Crows in the Nightingale’s Tree is a passionate tale of love and politics set against one of the most powerful religious movements of our time.
And I thought nothing could top the thrill of swing dancing!
Posted by: Mark Dorfman | October 08, 2005 at 12:41 PM
Your story about the Tango Lesson was turning me on. You can write, girl!
Posted by: Richard Weigle | October 10, 2005 at 11:09 PM