Slow Waltzing -- Even If the Shoe Doesn't Fit

Look -- Gerry is slow waltzing with Pam

Crystal dancer Alexandra shows me the steps

Pam has a blowout

By GERRY BARKER
North Palm Beach Life

Our recent voyage on Crystal Serenity included two sea days. While some guests prefer a port of call, a sea day for me is a great time to relax by the pool, read or chill in my favorite lounge. Unless ... my significant other spots something that catches her interest in the daytime activities guide.

"Look here," she exclaimed, as I gathered my book and sunglasses to head for one of the couches by the pool. "There's a dance class for learning the slow waltz starting in 10 minutes at the Palm Court. Let's go!"

It's not that I don't love to dance -- I do. But I guess you could say I'm more freelance than formal. I just move whatever body part in whatever direction as the beat takes me. But when it comes to programmed dancing, be it the cha cha, the waltz, the tango (yes, we have taken tango classes in the past) or ballroom dancing, my feet seem to fail me. 

Pam, on the other hand, is an excellent dancer. Her dance moves are like a work of art. And God bless her, she has done her best over the years to bring me along. She is convinced even I can master the slow waltz. So off we go.

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The Crystal dancers join the fun

​The class was already in session when we got there, led by two of the ship's resident dancers, Alexandra Toronya and Mate Telek. They were lean, graceful and beautiful -- even when they weren't dancing. The class also featured two Ambassadors -- hosts aboard Crystal that dance with ladies without partners. 

We started by learning a basic box step. Men went to one side of the dance area, women on the other. It was fairly simple: Forward - side - back and repeat to a count of 1,2,3 ...4,5,6. Over and over and over. And surprise! I got it. Then we practiced to music.

Things were going along nicely until suddenly Pam realized she had a blowout. The sole of one of her shoes had come off and was flapping in the dance breeze.  Class stopped momentarily while she surveyed the damage and even resulted in an impromptu kickline as we all decided to join Pam and show off our shoes.

It was clear Pam's footwear was in no shape for slow waltzing, so we had to make our apologies and head back to our stateroom. But on the way I was counting 1,2,3 ... 4,5,6 as I boxed-stepped down the hallway. Who says i can't dance?

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The class devolved into an impromptu kickline