Bachata isn’t about the footwork, nor is it about styling or getting dangerously close to your dance partner…it’s about something greater that’s very apparent when witnessing life in the Dominican Republic. Facing the harsh realities of a developing nation, the people that I met during a recent trip seemed to cope through music and dance. Bachata and Merengue aren’t just catchy songs to dance to, but are moving statements of life, love and loss.
Almost as soon as the plane landed you could hear the music in the airport, then on the bus and practically everywhere on the resort. A TDS/Latin dancers’ paradise, you basically end up dancing Bachata, Merengue and Salsa every day/night. While it was cool to impress the touristas, my favourite part of the whole trip was during an excursion where a local guide took notice of our impromptu Bachata at a small canteen. It was amazing to see how proud and amazed he was to find out that people outside of his country knew the dance and even it’s artists.
This pride was apparent throughout the trip, from wait-staff at the resort to the children at the local public school to the wondrous dance team. While it may not make sense, but being surrounded by all of the textures of the D.R. you seem to feel the music much more. Each dance step taken drew that much more sadness, strife and passion.
While some are lucky to get this feeling through the music alone, it took witnessing the real Dominican life for me to truly feel and express Bachata in my movements and mind. With that being said, I would like to express positive thoughts and much love to the Haitians, their families and friends that we met on the trip. I hope that they are safe, healthy and together throughout this difficult time.
Till then,
Stay Shining Salseros
SHARE
