TALLINN - Someone once said, "Monday is an awful way to spend one seventh of your life." This is especially true after dancing salsa on Sunday night.
Although salsa hasn't really taken off in Estonia yet, salsa lessons take place every Sunday at 8 p.m. at Clazz Restaurant.
Clazz is an interesting place. When I first went there I was unpleasantly surprised by the prices, but I bravely ordered a glass of sparkling wine and smiled, and the bartender gave it to me on the house. So a few days later, of course, I was back.
I arrived a couple of minutes past eight, certain I was about to make a fool of myself in front of a room full of expert dancers. I needn't have worried 's there were no experts, and there were no dancers. In fact, there was nobody.
I got a drink and waited. Finally, some Latin music came on, and two dancers who looked like they had been doing it for years appeared on the floor. At 9 p.m. the lesson started.
It turns out that the DJ, a sparkling and energetic woman, moonlights as the dance teacher. There were about twelve people, some clumsier than others, and we started by learning to shake and move our hips, probably giving the non-dancing guests of the restaurant a good laugh.
Next, we divided into pairs and started to practice. It was quite strange to dance with another woman, to lead her without even knowing what I was supposed to do. But it did get us joking around, and eventually I got comfortable with leading.
Then they changed the dance and it was too complicated for me, so I sat and watched the others. At 11:30 p.m., when I left, the dance floor was full of joyful people, and it all looked like single man's dream 's women of every age and physique.
It's quite interesting that Latino culture is so fascinating to some. They learn the words and dance the dance, but is it really possible to live a culture that is not your own? Could these sensual dances and hot rhythms take a true hold on you?
I couldn't figure it out, but as I watched others dancing they looked exactly like what they were: Estonians doing Latin dancing badly. They were all a bit clumsy and shy, but in a cute way. By the time I left, their confidence had grown tremendously, even if the steps still weren't quite perfect.
Of all the places I've been, this is the friendliest, a place where they don't just bring your food and drinks, but also smile and ask how you've been. The restaurant is also trying to branch out beyond the food, offering live concerts, DJs and other musical events. It's quite interesting, in my opinion, and although I doubt I'll become a regular customer, I do think their idea is brilliant.
