Eddie Torres

The Mambo King, the master of footwork, is sooo fast! Check out his footwork shines and try to follow in the rhythm - it is not as easy as he makes it look.

Sore feet

I guess you could see it coming - my feet are sore! Dancing all week since I arrived on Saturday, walking all day every day sightseeing NY, wearing new dance shoes for the whole evening Tuesday, using every last bit of energy for dancing at Club Cache on Wednesday, starting the NYSC survival challenge training Thursday, and then again a night of dancing!
Now I seriously consider one of those foot massages from the small chinese nail-spa-massage shops.

Edie 'The Salsa Freak' has experienced nearly any kind of foot, knee and hip pain in connection with dancing. Read her great tips on how to prevent and aid your sore dancing feet:
Sore feet solutions from Edie, The Salsa Freak

Pre-party cruise

Tuesday evening the congress pre-party started as a cruise on the Circle Line. While the sun faded and the city lit up, we cruised on the Hudson round Manhattan. On the passenger deck the salsa band Ocho y Mas! played a great salsa beat all through the trip and the passengers enjoyed the challenge of dancing on a tilting carpeted floor. In the breaks between dancing we could see the Manhattan skyline and a close up look at the Statue of Liberty by night. Afterwards the party continued at the Link Lounge, hosted by Marlon Int'l.

Fun fact: today I tried my first ever coffee containing beverage at Starbucks - a Pumpkin Spice Frappucino.

Photo courtesy: Haleymonster.com

Taj Lounge

Taking it easy, strolling slowly through a street market in the afternoon, shopping useless items and souvenirs, ... and dancing all night long!

The NYC salsa congress has arranged for a whole week of pre-congress parties with entry free of charge for congress full pass holders. Saturday the party was at the Harlem YMCA, Sunday it was Piel Canelas Sunday social, and yesterday the party was on at Session 73. However, yesterday was also the After Work Salsa Mondays at the Taj Lounge with DJ Henry Knowles and live salsa band and show by Ismael and Shani. I went there to enjoy the music and the exotic lounge, and the dancing of course, before I went of to join my fellow congress participants at Session 73.

Tip of the day: Henry Knowles is an amazing DJ!

Photo courtesy: Taj Lounge