The evening before about 9.30 quietly eating our supper in the dining area we were joined by Eloise a young Italian lady who lives and works in Germany. 'What are we doing later? We three or four other young girls from Italy, France and Germany were going to a Milonga'. 'Come with us I will call for you about 11.30' 'Yes!' Why; not its always easy to say no! Finish supper and get into dancing gear; knock on the door at due time, pick up taxi and away. Eloise explains the 'system' at this milonga we have a table and she goes off to join the other girls. Milongas for me sound more exciting than they really are, not up to my dancing days at Loccanno, Orchid, Cats Whiskers, Hammersmith and Wimbledon Palais, let alone the Lyceum. More like a Saturday night dance at Cheam Baths! We have ;a few dances and watch a couple of tango dance exhibitions by some Argentinian oficionados and its already gone 2.30 in the morning. Eloise explains to Irene where she should go to await being asked to dance by the local male talent! Perhaps our cue to think of home and bed; we have a Christmas Eve meal booked for late, what is now this evening! Whisked back home by taxi; yet another new experience!
We arrive at the restaurant about 9.30 for the traditional Argentinian late evening Christmas supper. The restaurant is full by 10.00, traditionally dressed pipers and drummer appear to play medieval style music originating from Galicia and Basque areas; we all clap and sing as the meal goes on. 12 o'clock champagne served and drunk whilst going around the room each toasting one another 'felices navidades and happy Christmas in Spanish English and Swedish. Cards and presents exchanged and fireworks erupt from the street outside. As we were by a window we kept an eye on our neighbours parked car in case the firework lighters got too excited. A fire engine sirens into the street. The party goes on to about 1.30. Good byes all round we go home as the fireworks continue to erupt. Sleep overtakes us as the bangs and flashes continue into the night.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment