On Saturday morning, we were drinking coffee on our porch and then lounging at the swimming pool. By the time evening rolled around, we decided that we were going to partake in a trip to Peña Blanca, our local discoteca/dance club/bar/whatever-ya-wanna-call-it. I should mention that it's very rare that Andrew or I decide to venture out into the Honduran nightlife, mostly due to the fact that our bedtime is around 10 pm (okay, well, maybe it's more like 8:30 or 9:00) and there is really only one option for "going out" in our rural area. But, we decided to take the plunge.
At Peña Blanca, they have a pool. They have a dance floor. They have a balcony. The party doesn't really get going until around 11 pm. But when it does get going, it's going. The music switches between old pop music from the US and various genres of Latin American tunes, which can lead to some pretty entertaining situations when you have a dance floor filled with Hondurans and six gringos. Example: On Saturday, the song YMCA was played. All the gringos danced, you know, the YMCA. The Hondurans were quite confused by the crazy arm movements, which was a bit embarrassing, but apparently not embarrassing enough to make me stop doing them.
The tricky thing about Peña Blanca is that, if you want to avoid looking ridiculous, you have to know a bunch of different genres of dance, AND you have to know how to identify each genre when you hear it (so you can, in turn, start dancing correctly to the genre). And here, my friends, is my opportunity to educate you on some of the genres of dance that you will need to know when you find yourself in a Honduran dance club.
First off, punta (click to see video example!) is by far the most difficult dance. It's also probably the sexiest, as its name may or may not come from the West African rhythm called "bunda" ("buttocks"). The goal of this dance is to look as sexy as possible. To survive as a dancer during a punta song, I usually run far, far away from the dance floor as soon as I hear it, because there is just no way I'm going to look good doing it.
Bachata, Cumbia, and Salsa (click for more video examples!), on the other hand, are much more feasible for a gringa. They all consist of a simple step in which you put one foot away from your center, bring it back to your center, and then do the same with the opposite foot. I like to think that I have enough rhythm and attitude to pull these off in some way, so I always put in a good effort, using my backside more in these dances than I ever do otherwise.
To set yourself up for success at Peña Blanca, watch this instructional video.
Now remember, ladies- you'll not only have to look good doing these dances, but you'll also have to decide which of the swarming men you're willing to dance with. Once you decide, you can make eye contact with the chosen one, and he will mostly likely approach you. BUT, make sure to avoid eye contact with any men you do not wish to dance with, or you'll spend your evening avoiding men instead of doing what you came to do: dancing your heart out.
