So, earlier this week I learned some flamenco steps with the beautiful Maria Jose Albaicin. She was just so passionate about flamenco, as she started as a young child. I just really appreciate when people are passionate about something and they share it with others. For example, if I met someone who spoke with so much enthusiasm for something like neuroscience, that alone would make me want to take a class at my university. I believe that one has to find what one is good at and enjoys and ardently work at it everyday. Spain has definitely showed me that language is something that I seriously want to pursue. I just really enjoy using language as a way to reach out to others.
But back to the flamenco lesson…
Honestly, all I could do was laugh at myself. I’m the type of person who loves music and will dance, I just can’t dance well. Maria Jose assured us that the studio we danced in was a safe place to mess up. She told us not to feel embarrassed because ‘in flamenco there is no shame’. She taught us that flamenco is so much more than what we see on postcards and is choreographed. In other words, it’s so much more than just furiously stomping one’s feet on the ground and hoping that it goes with the beat. Fun Fact: Flamenco is a great workout.
Prior to this trip, I expected to hear a lot of Flamenco music on the radio,but what I actually hear is a Flamenco-like pop. Nevertheless, flamenco is still widely appreciated.
This is a beautiful flamenco-style song sung by one of my all-time favorite Spanish singers, David Bisbal. Enjoy!