It's not what you wear

Danzon is a traditional dance, with dramatic music, elegant steps, and lavishly dressed fans.  Wednesday evenings, in the Zocalo, Oaxaca has a  danzon event, yet Mexico City is on a different level.  There, danzon can be enjoyed, on good dance floors, every day of the week.   We like the dance, and naturally, one priority for our trip to the capital was to participate in the danzon scene.  (The other was to visit selected museums and art galleries)

However, before leaving, we faced the dilemma of what to pack.  We agonized over it, and finally decided to forego the almost-mandatory evening dress, rely on us being considered ignorant foreigners, and hope to be forgiven.   It was a good decision.  We attended an outdoor dance in the Ciudadela Plaza,  an evening in Salon Angeles, and another in Salon Romo.  In all cases, as the music started, our discomfort faded, and we were absorbed by the rhythm.  Despite our travel-wear and Teva sandals, the fashionable dancers around us, greeted us warmly.  We even got a few compliments on our dance style, even though those were much fewer than what we get when we are properly dressed.