You’ve probably noticed I’ve been publishing more guest posts than normal lately. I have two reasons for that: 1) I’m insanely busy traveling as I just started a 2-month non-stop adventure around southern Europe! (SO exciting, but so hard to keep up with everything on this site!) 2) I can’t be everywhere, so it’s nice to have high-quality articles from other travelers to even things out. I only publish the writers I fully believe in (those who have an interesting topic and an amazing attitude,) because I’m very proud of this site and I want to give my Fleeting-Lifers content they’ll love.
Today’s author: Nicole Collins
Nepal, most known for outdoor adventure activities such as paragliding, bungee jumping, white-water rafting and trekking the Himalaya and Annapurna mountain ranges, is also home to an up-and-coming salsa scene, unbeknownst to most travelers.
When you think of fiery Spanish culture, food, music and dance, the first places you think of are Latin America, Spain and underground nightclubs throughout the United States, particularly in New York, California and Florida.
Images from Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights in the south of Cuba and scenes from Along Came Polly come to mind: backyard barbecues and underground clubs with laughter, pulsing music and full of spinning, sensual partner dancing. The last place expected to be an international hub of Salsa, Bachata, and Flamenco dancers is Nepal, squished between China and India and home of the world’s highest mountain peak, Mount Everest and birthplace of Guatama Buddha.
Kathmandu, the country capital, is the epicenter of culture and dance for Nepal, with Indian, Spanish, and Chinese influence making the city diverse and perfect for people looking to experience something other than trekking during their stay.
Kathmandu has a community of salsa-enthusiasts, as evidenced by the many salsa academies, offering classes for children all the way through adults. The enthusiasm for the romantic, hip-swinging, close-quarter dancing is sweeping through the city, making Kathmandu the perfect place to learn salsa or brush up on old skills.
I’ve rounded up a list of the best places to learn salsa at an affordable price:
Salsa Dance Academy
Having fallen in love with dance from a young age, I love the feeling of being in a dance studio with long, floor to ceiling mirrors, hardwood floors and obnoxiously loud music. The Salsa Dance Academy in Bhat Bheteni (above the Road House Cafe, east of the tourist square of Thamel) delivers this studio atmosphere under the tutelage of expert, professional salsa teachers. If you are completely new to dance and to salsa, starting at an academy is a great way to learn the steps by count and meet new people.
Located on the second floor of the building, the studio has a stunning view of the Himalayas and with most classes held in the evening, a breathtaking view of sunset over the mountains. Classes are small, with a maximum of twelve students. Prices are relatively traveler-friendly, depending on your length of stay in Kathmandu: for two one-hour classes a week, 2,000₹ (20 USD) a month for one person, 3,800₹ (38 USD) a month for a couple. If you only have a few days in the city, individual classes are 250₹ (2.5 USD).
Sushila Arts Academy
Another top notch dance academy located north of Bhat Bhateni in Maharajgunj is the Sushila Arts Academy. Tucked away in a corner of Ring Road, this academy offers art, music and dance classes for children and adults. Dance classes range from Classical Indian and Nepali Dance, Classical Ballet and Modern, as well as Flamenco classes. The friendly staff will make you feel immediately at ease and know how to make classes fun and vivacious. For price and time inquiries, visit their website: www.sushilaartsacademy.com
The Dance Floor Nepal
If you are a budget traveler like me, free is always the best route to go. The Dance Floor, a location-independent salsa academy offers free two-hour beginner and intermediate workshops right in the center of the Nepal Life City Center in Kamalpokhari.
If you are shy and don’t like a crowd of strangers watching as you learn and step on your partner’s feet, this may not be the ideal place for you. If you are light-hearted and out to just have fun while learning some cool new moves, this is the best option for a traveler-friendly budget. The Dance Floor also coordinates salsa parties and competitions around Kathmandu in local restaurants and hotels, free and open to the community. Check out their Facebook page for updates on upcoming events, generally scheduled once a month: https://www.facebook.com/TheDanceFloorNepal
KTM KTM Google Group
If the idea of learning in a group setting is absolutely terrifying and you have a little extra money to spend, private lessons are ideal. Since Kathmandu is full of expats (like me), plugging into the community and finding whatever you need has been made possible by the KTM KTM google group online. Like the Craigslist of Nepal, you can easily find community announcements of workshops, activities, parties, farmers markets as well as jobs, volunteer opportunities and housing. Many of the dance academy’s instructors offer private lessons as well as other local ex-pats. Prices for individual lessons vary depending on the instructor but the range is generally between 150-300 rupees.
As for underground salsa clubs, I’ve yet to find any despite scouring the streets of Thamel in the evenings and asking locals if they know of any hot dancing spots. The up and coming salsa community in Nepal has yet to translate to the night scene, but given my ongoing love affair with salsa dancing, I will continue pounding the pavement until I find the venue.
