Dance Off

Having two local bars in Cahuita, the competition between the two gets high.  The local bar on the main high way has been drawing quite a bit of attention lately.  The owner of the bar on the highway, mind you a large drug dealer who just go out of jail (how comforting) has been throwing concerts, competitions, etc.  This bar typically has been the spot for locals to attend where the other bar has drawn more tourists.  Cahuita is a center point for many people coming from Limon (a larger city towards the north) and Puerto Viejo (a town towards the south), a perfect stopping point.   

This past Friday night Aires (the bar on the highway) threw a dance competition.  When the evening started at around 9 o’clock, I was already ready to go home!  The dance competition intrigued us since there was a local boy dancing that we knew.  The competition was supposed to start at 9, than 10;30, than 12, than 1:30.  SOOOO I was tired when the damn thing finally started. 

It was the birthday of a girl in town, who originally had come to Cahuita as a volunteer and is now set to be married next year.  Amazing how many foreigners meant to stay for only three months…  Soo far there is no local love development on my end… No worries family!  So while we were waiting for the competition and to begin shots of sambuca were being passed around. This was my first time with sambuca and I don't typically take shots, but I can't be a party pooper!!  But oh boy does the just clear the system right on up!!!

The moment of the evening commenced.  Needless to say, being the only white girl in this club and rather conservative, I about shit my pants seeing these kids dance.  It was and I am not exaggerating 15 to 17 year old girls and boys dancing.  Now there were four groups total, two groups of guys and two groups of girls.  The girls were wearing practically no clothing and had quite the provocative dance moves.  I was ashamed to be there and actually had to step outside.  I was embarrassed to be seen watching the dancing going on.  I felt like such a pervert and what was worse surrounded by men who could be their dads cheering them on and shouting at them.  It’s one thing to do activities around your own peers and it’s another in the environment we were in.  I was disgusted, some cultural differences will never change or be accepted.  It's easy to see how some cultures don't advance as well, seeing the environments they were in it's not wonder these girls are pregnant at 15 and 17.  Hard to watch.  I will give the dance groups the benefit of the doubt, for having guts to get up there in front of people and dance their hearts out.  They all tried their best and put forth a lot of effort, in that sense it was fun to watch them work so hard to win!  

Nonetheless a good evening with friends and interesting one at that.  Never a dull moment!