Perhaps everyone has heard the story of the ship “Madleen”, which sailed from the island of Sicily heading toward the Gaza Strip on a bold mission to break the siege imposed on it. Because this boat was boarded by famous activists such as Greta Thunberg, it was called the “Selfie Boat” but in reality it is called “Madleen” and there is a very interesting story behind the name of this boat that I will post here translated from arabic (I didn’t translate it, my arab on Duolingo is still not that good)
Este fin de semana, estamos de fiesta, ya que Puerto Vallarta celebra su 57.º aniversario como ciudad y su 107.º como pueblo. Las festividades incluyeron la tradicional Feria de Mayo en la Av. México, con juegos y montañas rusas, además de varios conciertos de artistas populares mexicanos. El sábado, en el malecón, hubo un desfile aéreo con aviones y planeadores militares, además de una noche de fiesta en la plaza principal. ¡Feliz cumpleaños, Puerto Vallarta!
Ce week-end, l’ambiance est à la fête : Puerto Vallarta célèbre son 57e anniversaire en tant que ville et son 107e anniversaire en tant que village. Parmi les festivités, on compte les traditionnelles Fiestas de Mayo sur l’avenue Mexico, avec des jeux et des montagnes russes, ainsi que plusieurs concerts d’artistes mexicains populaires. Le samedi, sur le Malecón, un défilé aérien avec avions et planeurs militaires a eu lieu, ainsi qu’une fête nocturne sur la place principale. Joyeux anniversaire Puerto Vallarta !
This weekend, we are in party mood as Puerto Vallarta is celebrating its 57th anniversary as a city and its 107th anniversary as a village. Festivities included the traditional Fiestas de Mayo Fair at Mexico Av. with some games and rollercoasters plus several concerts by popular mexican artists. The saturday at the malecón, there was an aerial parade with airplanes and military airgliders plus a full night party right at the main square. Happy Birthday Puerto Vallarta!
In one of my previous post, I told you that I was teaching a regular Cuban Salsa Class at Cloud 9, when my portuguese friend Victoria, told me to dance with one of her friends visiting from Canada, Angela. We had a couple of great dances, but then she left. Some days later, Victoria asked me about the Dance congress Vallarta SBK and although she only went to the parties, she convinced her friends to attend the congress. So on the first day of the congress as I was helping in the check-in process, and Angela came and waved me. At first, I didn’t recognize her but as usual I carried on with the talk. She told me that she was there for the congress, but she might need a place to stay for the last 2 days of the congress and I offered La Maison du Tango.
On the second day, I gave a beginners Rueda de Casino class. Angela took my workshop and later invited me to partner with her for the advanced dance lifts workshop. So although I was very tired after so many activities, I joined this 2 hour workshop and I prooved not to be that bad. However, in one of the dance lifts, I accidentally dropped Angela to the floor and she felt on her head. So I was really ashamed.
Although she said it didn’t hurt and she was ok, I felt I owed her something. As the workshops finished, I invited her to eat. She told me she was vegan, so we ended up going to Veggitalia, which is a great vegan Italian restaurant in downtown.
Angela and Israel at Veggitalia.
That night, there was the last social night themed blue and mermaid. (I was not able to get on time a merman t-shirt so I just went in blue). The party had some many, too many shows and then lots of Salsa, Bachata and Kizomba night, which was very fun. I ended up dancing these 3 dance styles a lot with Angela. As the night was coming to an end, I offered to give her a ride to her Airbnb for her last night there.
Angela and Israel on the Water Dance Night.
The next day, I came to pick Angela up as I previously told you I was going to host her. We were both tired so we ended up resting all day. But as she has told me, she is also a fire dancer, so she wanted to do some fire dancing with me during the night. So at night we had fun going to the beach to do some tricks. we used alcohol as she didn’t want to use gasoline, so the flame didn’t last long, but it was very cool, and she is an amazing fire dancer.
Angela and Israel training dance at the beach.
The next day and before she had to go back to Canada, she wanted to explore the nature, another of my specialties, so I took her in my Motomami to one of my favorite natural spots, the waterfall of El Nogalito. I believe she really enjoyed the hike there with me.
Israel at El Nogalito.Angela at El Nogalito.
So finally, the countback finished, and we went to the airport. She left to Panama and then back to Canada and I hope to see her again.
I know, it was already a long time ago, but pretty much as there were many things going in my life, I was not able to talk to you about my wereabouts during the SBK Congress where for a third time, I gave a Rueda de Casino workshop and for the first time, I performed as a fire dancer. So, let me get straight into the info:
I hope that you had a lot of dance in your last year. In my case, this video shows a summary of all the dance going on in this year since the last dance day.
I am including in this video some highlights of what happened during the last Vallarta SBK Dance Congress that finished last week.
Lo siento Miyasaki, lo siento planeta. He caído en la tentación de la tendencia mundial y le pedí a mi amiga Dez que tiene Chat GPT premium que me hiciera unas imágenes mias en versión de los animés que tanto me gustan de Studio Ghibli. Aquí están los resultados:
I”m sorry Miyasaki, I’m sorry planet. I felt into the temptation of the world trend and I asked my friend Dez that has Chat GPT Premium to make some images of me in version of the animes that I love so much from Studio Ghibli. These are the results:
Ghibli version of Israel Andalón camping in San Sebastian. You can see some strange creatures from the forest.Israel Andalón en la cima del Cerro de la Bufa, después de una acampada en San Sebastian.Israel Andalón doing fire Dance training. You can see some Ghibli ghoblins being scared in the backgroundIsrael Andalón durante una práctica de danza con fuego con antorchas.Perla Doridei and Israel Andalón in a modern dance practice, in Ghibli Studio version. You can see the wandering castle in the background.Perla Doridei e Israel Andalón en un ensayo de Danza Contemporánea en el J&BDez and me with friends, Ghibli version watching the Super Bowl in the background.Dez, yo y algunos amigos viendo el Superbowl.
💧🌱🔥🕺🏽 Israel Andalón presente en el Vallarta SBK participando como voluntario, tallerista, estudiante y bailarín en los shows. Vallarta SBK promete mucho aprendizaje y mucha diversión dónde el quinto elemento serás tú. Abril 24 – 27, 2025 Puerto Vallarta, México.🇲🇽
🌬💧🌱🔥🕺🏽 Israel Andalón will be present at Vallarta SBK, participating as a volunteer, workshop facilitator, student, and dancer in the shows. Vallarta SBK promises lots of learning and fun, where you will be the fifth element. April 24 – 27, 2025 Puerto Vallarta, México.🇲🇽
Vallarta SBK es un congreso de Salsa (Lineal, Casino), Bachata (Sensual, Dominicana) y Kizomba donde habrá talleres para bailarines principiantes y avanzados, además de concursos y muchas fiestas temáticas, este año, alusivo a los 4 elementos. Contáctenme para más info o para inscribirse
Vallarta SBK is a Salsa (Cuban, On1 & On2) , Bachata (Traditional and Sensual) and Kizomba congress where there will be workshops for beginners and advanced dancers, as well as contests and theme parties. This year, the congress will refer to the 4 elements. Contact me for more info or to book.
All the couples in Puerto Vallarta that love flowers and love to dance, this February the 14th at 2pm, the Vallarta Botanical Gardens have an invitation for you.
Learn the basics of Tango dance in the middle of the amazing flowers that are there. The class is free with your admission ticket (mx$300 pesos, free for the Garden Members), but tips to the instructor are thankfully accepted.
Enjoy the rhythm and passion of tango in an unique natural setting, while celebrating love in all its forms.
A todas las parejitas de Puerto Vallarta que les gustan las flores y les gusta bailar, el Jardín Botánico de Vallarta les tiene una invitación para este 14 de Febrero a las 2pm.
Aprendan las bases del tango en medio de las maravillosas flores que ahí hay. La clase es gratuita con su boleto de admisión (mx $300 pesos, gratis para socios del Jardín) pero las propinas al instructor son agradecidamente aceptadas.
Disfruten del ritmo y la pasión del tango en un entorno natural único, mientras celebran el amor en todas sus formas.
Pour tous les couples de Puerto Vallarta qui aiment les fleurs et la danse, le Jardin Botanique de Vallarta vous propose une invitation le 14 février à 14h.
Apprenez les bases du tango au milieu des magnifiques fleurs du coin. Le cours est gratuit avec votre billet d’entrée (300 pesos MX$, gratuit pour les membres du jardin) mais les pourboires à l’instructeur sont acceptés avec gratitude.
Profitez du rythme et de la passion du tango dans un cadre naturel unique, tout en célébrant l’amour sous toutes ses formes.
Israel Andalón 