sweat, stages, and southern skies: my bahía blanca dance descent

i'm in bahía blanca and i think i've forgotten what rain feels like. the weather app says 30.49 celsius, feels like 30.27, which is basically the same but my body's screaming otherwise. humidity's at 40%, so it's a dry heat, like the studio without ac after a ten-hour rehearsal. i just checked and it's...blistering, hope you like that kind of thing.

i came here for the annual tango festival, but turns out it's more contemporary dance this year. someone told me that the old theater on the plaza has amazing acoustics but the locals say it's haunted by a former choreographer who still critiques performances from beyond. i heard from a dancer at the studio that the floor is sprung but skews slightly to the left, so you might drift during solos. that happened to me last night, i almost flew into the orchestra pit. embarrassing.

the city itself is a mix of faded grandeur and raw energy. streets are narrow, buildings painted in pastels that are peeling, but there's a vibe that gets under your skin. i've been staying in a hostel near the port, where the air smells like fish and diesel, but the sunrise over the water is worth it. if you get bored, mar del plata is just a short drive south with beaches that are perfect for cooling off after a show, or you could take a bus to buenos aires for the real scene-but be warned, the traffic there is a killer and the cost of living will shock you.

for food, i stick to empanadas and mate, but i heard that the restaurant down by the port serves the best grilled fish, but the lines are epic. someone warned me that the taxi drivers might overcharge if you don't speak spanish fluently, so download a translation app. also, the water is safe to drink but tastes like chlorine, so i buy bottled.

now, about the dance scene: there's a studio on calle lima that i found on Yelp, it's cheap and the teacher is a former ballet dancer. i've linked it below. for gear, i always pack extra toe pads and a portable towel. the sun here is relentless, even at 30.49 degrees, it beats down like a spotlight you didn't ask for. i've linked some resources: check out the local dance calendar on TripAdvisor for last-minute shows TripAdvisor - Bahía Blanca Activities, and Yelp has reviews for studios that won't ruin your knees Yelp - Dance Studios. also, the city tourism site has info on free outdoor classes Bahía Blanca Turismo.

here's the spot on the map where i'm typing this, under a tree for shade:

the streets are lined with these old colonial buildings that kind of glow in the evening light. i snapped a few pics that capture the chaos:

i'm currently nursing a blister and dreaming of a cold shower. the humidity might be low but the sweat doesn't lie. if you're coming down, bring light fabrics and a hat-the sun here has no mercy. also, the seafood is insane, but i try to avoid it before shows. heard that the restaurant down by the port serves the best grilled fish, but the lines are epic. someone warned me that the taxi drivers might overcharge if you don't speak spanish fluently, so download a translation app.

overall, bahía blanca is a gritty little gem. the dance community is tight-knit, everyone knows everyone, and the passion is real. i've never felt so tired and so alive at the same time. maybe it's the heat, maybe it's the magic of movement under this southern sun. either way, i'll be back, if my knees allow it. next stop: milonga night at the community center, where the floor is wooden and the dancers are fierce. wish me luck.