Buenos Aires comes to Vancouver Island

Why not...Canadian Snowbirds head south, Argentinian ones head north!

Summer is in full swing here on Vancouver Island, at least what this year poses for summer: a few days of furnace heat, interspersed with a few more of wintry cold and rain, with a couple of thunderstorms and heavy windgusts thrown in just to make it interesting.

My guests, two 'Maestros del Tango Argentino', arrived after long drawn out flights, lost luggage and missed connection. As their stay was not strictly 'recreational' but one of 'performing artists', their fast paced schedule kicked into gear far too soon: there was hardly any time to catch a glance of lovely Victoria, but some picnics along the picturesque east coast of Vancouver Island, and lots of 'commuting' by almost every Island Ferry in operation in this part of British Columbia, offered a small opportunity to sample the delights of Vancouver Island.

British Columbia and Alberta Tour for Monica and Jorge

One of the many event posters, this one for Nanaimo of Vancouver Island

 

International verbal communication 'at home' and during engagements consisted of an - at times - amusing mix of Castellano with an Argentine tinge, Spanglish and English. A good dose of body language made for perfect communication, especially during times of instruction. Tango performances did not need a syllable of translation: masterly technique, passion, emotion, musicality and creative interpretation of haunting tango, enchanting valse and joyful milonga spoke their own unmistakable language of this fascinating dance.

Dancing a tango by Pugliese, one of the most emotionally charged composers of tango.

 

 

Monica and Jorge interpreted this lovely piece 'being totally in the moment' without pre-set choreography...tango as it should be: improvised to reflect the state of one's soul in that moment.

Tango on Saltspring Island at the milonga Por El Amor del Tango....

Whant would be a visit to Canada WITHOUT a photo together with a 'MOUNTIE"?

We are here, on the famous Malahat Drive, in the land of Totem Poles...

 Driving for nearly two hours from Duncan to Qualicum Beach, at low tide, gave a few moments to explore tidal flats with BC Coastal mountain ranges providing a majestic backdrop.

 One of 39 music filled days in Duncan, where a 'public Zumba' class eliminated any residue of Aircraft muscle stiffness

 The PHOTO, at the end of one of the first classes of Tango up-island in Qualicum Beach....

 Lift your eyes up to the sky...

 ...or leave them at sea level....

or just rest them on the back of a pony...delight all around!

 

Students at Martin Bachelor Art Gallery in Victoria....studying a special art: el arte del tango!

 

Quite an eclectic back drop to a tango class...

Rainy Victoria, but definitely on the agenda for a short chill walk in the rain to check out Victoria Harbour, Government Street, Fishermen' s wharf and the tame harbour seals, and some of the many hanging flower baskets....of course one stops for the obligatory fridge magnet souvenir!

One of the high-lights of the visit was without a doubt, a short stay in Ganges on Saltspring Island, one of th jewels of the Canadian Gulf Islands. There could hardly exist a more picturesque setting for dancing tango - after a visit to Salt Spring Island's famous Saturday Farmer's Market

 

 Organic , organic, organic....all food, and even some of the clothing is certified 'organic'. I am not so sure whether the grass in the waterfront park of Ganges is organic - but, organic pasta tasted delicious!

 Salt Spring Island tangueros, as well as dancers from Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Arizona and Washington State turned up in force for the last opportunity to take in and learn a few more secrets of Argentine Tango...

A fitting 'Adieu' from Saltspring Island...taking the Crofton-Vesuvius ferry back to Vancouver Island during a magical sunset over Vesuvius.

Vancouver Island under a setting sun...

Oh, how we all would love to be able to dance like that, at the spur of the moment, connected to each other, in harmony with the music and with the partner, and improvising every move.
 

Two weeks of intense scheduling of events, transport, meals, ferry rides, classes, shows, short moments of 'tourist activity', gourmet dinners with students, late nights Argentine style with or without a glass of champagne or wine, early mornings with 'media lunas' fresh from the oven, rides hither and thither all over Vancouver Island, squished into my little car, packing and unpacking, laundry, more scheduling, booking flight tickets, stacking the fridge, processing videos, more last minutes squeezing private classes into a tight agenda - and enjoying the 'after glow' when another successful day is completed - I am already missing the excitement of each day....back to gardening and watching the deer invade the apple tree.

Last misty morning before my guests leave, Satellite Channel shortly after sunrise...may my friends have an enjoyable and successful stay in Calgary, Kelowna, Edmonto, Canmore and Nelson...in some of the prettiest landscapes Canada has to offer.

 By mid morning, shortly after dropping Monica and Jorge off at Victoria Airport for their flight to Kelowna, their next tour stop, the sun is out in full force and one takes 'the scenic short cut' via Brentwood Ferry back home....

 

 

....to join up again with my four-legged friends on the patio...