When I got out there, it wasn't bad. It had snowed maybe a half inch. The roads were really slick for the first mile until I got out to the main highway. It wasn't bad, and in town wasn't bad. I went to the post office, and then got to the senior center about twenty minutes early. There were only two cars in the lot . . . me, and a truck parked next to me. Then the square dance caller arrived. I knew it was the caller because he carted a lot of stuff inside. The closer it got to 6:00, the more people came. But, it was all couples. I had decided that if all I saw was couples going in, then I would leave. There was another dance, Scottish country dance, that started at 6:30 in town. At 6:00, I decided to wait a few minutes longer. Since it was still snowing, I thought it might delay people. A little after six o'clock, a man came to the window of my car. He asked if I was going in, and I told him it was all couples. He said there are always people to dance with, not to worry. So, I went in! His name was Mike and he was very nice, and I met a few other people.
Most people were dressed in the cowboy style . . . shirts, belts, boots . . . but, some of the women had on those dresses with a lot of petticoats. I had on my jeans and one of my sweaters, and tennis shoes.
Then a lot of other people came in, and we started. These calls were not the same as the calls I remember from sixth grade! These are much harder and much more complex! I did remember "alaman left" and "doce do"! I got some things wrong but everybody tried to help. I wasn't the only "newbie" thank goodness! And they were making as many mistakes as I was, so I was in good company! When my partner was experienced, it was much easier to follow, because he would grab my hand and gently push me in the direction I needed to go, or grab my hand and lead me. But, when my partner was another newbie, we were both confused! I had a blast!
After the lessons came the regular square dance part for the regulars. They told me I should stay and watch. In between sets, (they don't call them sets, though, something like "tic") they did "round" dancing which was kind of like ballroom, only there is a caller and they do different steps as they go around in a big circle. It was interesting. Then, they did some line dancing, and they got me to try that. Line dancing is when there are two lines of people facing each other, about three or four feet apart, and about two or three feet from the person next to you. The calls were less confusing than the square dancing, but still I was obviously a newbie at it! I stood next to Mike and followed him, mainly.
After that, they went back to square dancing and invited me to join in again. I was with a totally different group this time, with Mike as my partner, and everyone helped me. They said I did good, but it didn't feel like it! But, again, I had a blast! The only thing was that there was a lot of "twirls" in this second set, and I got a little dizzy!
When we finished the last square dance, several people in my group hugged me, told me how good I did, and asked if I was coming back next week. What a warm reception! I have met such great people since I've been here! How lucky is that!?!
In the first half hour I kept looking at the clock, and could hardly wait to leave. I wasn't planning on coming back. But, by the end of the night, with everyone was so nice and helpful, and I had such fun, I can hardly wait till next week! I knew it was at the senior center, and I didn't know how old any of them were, so I went with the attitude not of meeting a man, but of just enjoying myself and having fun. Which I did! I had a blast!
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