The India International Salsa Congress '2007!!
By Edie, The Salsa FREAK!!

When Lourd Vijay invited me to this event, it was more than a year away, and a year in the making. I had no idea that Salsa was so popular all over India, and also had no idea how massive the country of India really is!! My first experience with Salsa from India was with Kaytee from Bombay. He flew to Los Angeles to take classes from numerous instructors and was working to refine his "LA Style" from "La Crème de la Crème" of the world's best. Now I see that his dancing is excellent. Obviously, aside from Niraj, and Super Mario, both from India, and highly excellent in their own right, however they learned outside of India. My second up-close experience with Salseros from India, who learned in the country of India were Sneha Kapoor and Richard Tholoor from Lourd's dance school in Bangalore. They competed at the UK National Championships where I was judging in 2006. I could tell based on their lifts, tricks, and flashy style that they studied LA Style and were on fire for it. Now, almost a year later, their dancing has skyrocketed BEYOND what I could have ever imagined and have even qualified to compete in the Cabarét division at the ESPN World Championships in Orlando, Florida this year.

The Bangalore Congress was very well organized with an impressive International Instructor line-up. The workshops, shows, and social dancing was held in a single location, in am exquisite hotel – which is always nice because the drivers know where to drop us off every day! We stayed in a beautiful hotel, just a few blocks from a very busy and enormous street market where I walked to every morning to buy fruit, nuts, and vegetables. Every country I go to, I get up in the morning and buy local produce where all of the Locals go – at the local markets. It's a unique opportunity to "get out" of the hotel, get some exercise, and go food shopping for the day.

An Indian market is one of the biggest attractions when visiting. Aside from the typical palaces and touristy spots, if you are EVER in this county, the local outdoor market is a "Must See" for the joe-average typical tourist.

When you arrive at the market, it's like being in an Indiana Jones movie. I felt like I was walking into a National Geographic magazine! It was FABULOUS! They were selling everything from coconuts to clothing, to incense – outside! Amidst the occasional slow-walking cow (moo) and the beautiful Indian women in their Sari's (typical Indian dresses) balancing huge baskets on their heads, you could see a fantastic blend of the "Old" with the "New". On one street in one section, you will find all types of ancient miniature statues, fresh fruit, and right next door, you'll see modern stereo equipment and perfume. Everything here is priced very inexpensively – so if you visit, be sure to only pack HALF a suitcase, because I can guarantee you it WILL be full by the time you leave!

The ladies Sari's (typical Indian dresses) are so beautiful, and so impressive, and looked sssoooo comfortable, that by the third day, I just HAD to have one. So I did just that. I told Lourd to hook me up, and by God he did. He knew exactly where to go and how to bargain for it at the end (which is almost an insult here if you don't!). So we took an Indian taxi (which was like right out of a movie, and scared me half out of my mind the way they drive over here – lines are non-existent – well they exist, but no one follows them, sort of.. and honking your horn is like batting your eyelashes – happens every six seconds, by every car within earshot – drove me nuts, but got used to it after about a day or so) to the local market place and struck a deal for a couple of Sari's.

After choosing my material, the vendor made me, literally on the spot, THE most beautiful silk with gold-trim Sari I had ever seen. In fact, it was so nice, I decided to wear it that Saturday night to the Congress! I surprised the crowd by getting on stage all wrapped up in a blanket and after making them "guess" what I had on (most did by the way), I slowly unveiled it. I've never worn something like this before, and I believe that EVERY woman, I don't care who you are, need to try one of these things on! It's fabulous! I would love to wear one every day if I could! Especially around the house… they are ssssooo comfortable!

That night, I MC'd the entire evening's performances with it on, and DANCED with it on …. ALL NIGHT LONG!!!! At first I didn't think I could dance at all with it on… it kept getting in my way of spinning, and it was heavy, and bulky… but by the time I got to Kaytee, he doctor'd it up and tucked it in so well under my belt, that I was absolutely FINE afterward! I lasted the end of the night with that thing on!!! I couldn't believe it – and neither could anyone else! I even did some Swing dancing with one of the Swing Guys when they played swing music! You just get used to the weight, and the turns, and have to power your way around a bit differently, but I'm telling you, those outfits make you feel ssssooooooo FEMININE, it's unbelievable!

I mean, the MINUTE I put it on, I felt …. "like a woman". I had to have help (obviously), so just having someone dress me… made me feel like some sort of Princess. Oh my gosh, what an experience. First of all, I am not used to having someone help me get DRESSED, and second of all, once I got that thing on, holy smokes! I felt so "female" !!! Really, now I know I am a woman, and I know that I can be very feminine, but this outfit, this Sari… geez. It really does make you feel … so… beautiful!

What was fascinating about putting it on was how it is simply "wrapped" around your body like a sheet. In fact, it is just simply that – a long piece of material, not unlike a bed sheet, or a bed spread. In fact, I believe THAT'S how they were invented! Some woman must have been late for work one morning, and she ended up ROLLING OUT OF BED and her bedspread got caught in her underwear, and that's how she made it to WORK that day… it looked so good, it just kinda' CAUGHT ON… from then on…
(that's what "I" think happened – the guys look… well. Normal I guess, but the women look AMAZING!!! )

While social dancing at the event, the weirdest thing I noticed was seeing "Indian versions" of superstars like Angel Ortiz, an Indian version of Frankie Martinez, an Indian version of James Cobo – it was kind of spooky! They were almost identical!

Overall the Bangalore Congress was excellent in my book. The people were so warm and so friendly, and the organization venue, and hotel, superb. Considering the strict "ending time" rules and regulations that everyone must follow while there, I believe Lourd did an outstanding job of making everyone feel welcome, and at home. I believe next year's event will definitely be a sell – out!!

Fantastic Event Lourd! Kudos to a job well-done!