All You Have To Do Is Swing!

Anytime I think of my sejour in Paris - I will remeber this night. Tonight was one of the most fun and french nights I have had in Paris! Caroline, her friend Alieen, and I danced our night away with the locals at le caveau de la huchette - an underground live jazz and swing-dancing club in the latin quartier.

This place was so adorable and unique. We walked down the windy stairs into the "caveau" where the live jazz band was busy playing so all the locals could show their stuff. We were noticably not locals - not many french people have 3 feet of blonde, wavy hair! We also were some of the youngest poeople there - which made it so fun! Everyone was a charming, french person with their dancing shoes on (some of them with taps!) - and they all seemed to know eachother! They were all switching dancing partners and having a blast!

The dancefloor has seating all around it, so you can sit and admire the dancers, and join in whenever you want - as we did! It did not take long for some of the dance-shoe-clad, 50 something, hysterical frenchmen to invite us for a dance! Things took off from there - and we spent most of the night out on the floor attempting to following the fancy footwork and spining around! I just have to say - dancing like that is SO MUCH FUN. I didn't even know what I was doing, and it was fun! So I can only imagine how fun it is to actually know the steps and dance with a partner really fast!

Of the locals, there was Richard - wearing a black dresshirt and necktie. I only know his name because he insisted on giving me his card so we could dance again on these dance-boat parties. There was Patrice - who I think was my favorite. He was from the Congo and made the most hysterical expressions when he danced, really putting his soul into it. A younger frenchmen, who danced SO fast, some cute, old little frenchmen, and two other native African men, both in black and white saddle shoes! They were the best dancers there - except for the adorable old man wearing black dress-overalls and shiny black tap shoes! He had to be in his mid 80s, and the few times he danced, he was amazing! Pulling out tricks like no one else! Not to mention when we left at 2am - he was still going strong! Only in Paris!

When they weren't dancing with one of us - there were several, amazing women showing their stuff too! Out favorite by far was this adorable, little woman. All dressed in black, with short, dark hair and her dancing shoes as well! She was the perfect illustration of a perfect french woman - and she could dance!

If you can imagine this scene - you can imagine how much fun we had! We were making fools of ourselves with our complete lack of swing dancing skills, but having a blast trying! It was so fun to be somewhere so unique to Paris, with a bunch of fun, nice, french people, and get to dance all night! By the time we left we were exausted, sweaty, and much better at dancing than 3 hours before!

If you haven't guessed already - I am now obbsessed with learning to dance like that! I am thinking of investigating where Josh and I can take lessons in the city! How fun would that be! Speaking of Joshua - he is now 28! Today is his birthday - and I wish I could be with him to make a big fuss and bake him a cake! But since I sadly cannot, I wish him the very best birthday he could possibly have !