“I’m getting older, “ I thought, now that I am 66, even if you reverse the numbers it still reads 66! (My daughter says 42 can be read as 24). I( decided to work at declining cognition, fitness, coordination and balance with a vengeance.
Exercising by your self is not really very efficient. Between feeling sleepy, tired , procrastinating (after all I can always start tomorrow),I decided to hire some teachers.
My first dance teacher was a total disaster. He was overweight and thumped around, he came late, he cut clases, he was very “touchy feely”. He did not seem to understand that I wanted a two feet distance between us. I stopped after a month.
The second teacher was truly professional. He had his hair shaved on one side and standing upright on the other. In the morning when he came for class he always spend two minutes looking into the side mirror of his bike after removing his helmet. He always made sure his hair was upright before he came up the stairs.
I could not remember the steps from one class to the next. So he danced in front and I followed at the back with a few seconds lapse like a flickering tube light. I got a workout. He became exhausted. I don’t think he bargained for an hour’s continuous dancing!
My neighbour could see us from her terrace. She ambled over one evening and cornered me.
“I also want class she said “I love to dance. I want afternoon classes”
I negotiated with the teacher. “She wants you to teach her. She will get other ladies to join”.
“Are they your age?” I think he visualized another hour of prancing.
“No younger ,” I lied.”They know how to dance.”
He went for an interview.
“Put on some music” she said .
AS the song Gasolina started, she said, “Ii love this,” and stood up and started gyrating in the middle of the room. He did not if he was supposed to join her, watch or correct the steps.
As she stood up she could see out of her window.
“There is a man stealing my flowers ,” she screeched and bounded out of the room.
The dance teacher developed palpitations. He did not know if he was supposed to help catch the thief, continue the music or leave. He crept out. She did not realize he had left. He did not go back.
My Silambattam teacher trained me with great enthusiasm to wield two swords.
“We can go and try for a Guinness world record,” he said.
“I am not that good “ i said feebly.
“No one no one can do two swords, come let us try”.
We reached the venues and sat down. There were lots of youngsters waiting.
“No parents,” said the organizer, ”only participants.”.
I didn’t think he was talking to me so I ignored him.
He came back.
“Only students and participants”.
“I am a student” I said.
He looked disbelieving and went off.
I heard them discussing me in a corner.
“She looks really old.”
“Maybe she is not old maybe she id s a down’s syndrome case -- a mongol.
It was embarrassing to say the least.
When my name was announced I went up.
It was gratifying experience. Everyone whistled, c lapped and cheered for the old Down’s syndrome.”.
I got the record.
The organizer was so impressed, he gave me an d extra honorary award as well.
I am now a “Master of talent.”
