On September 26th 2018, I wrote a post on Facebook. About dancing and about “my girls”. Out of the blue. I just sat down and felt like writing it down, so I did.
Never read it? Here it is:
The Facebook post.
Maybe it’s because the moon was full just recently, maybe it is because I once again experienced the beautiful vibes of other human beings while dancing Kizomba, just yesterday. #Afterworkz Anyway, I feel like sharing something. Because life is good.
As I returned to the Netherlands in 2016, after living in Switzerland for over 20 years, life was tough. It was thanks to my clan-mates from #AeM that I didn’t lose it, that last year up there in the Swiss mountains… the internet literally being my lifeline. #Tnellis #Soepeend #Sheep #Bullets
Finally I was able to take that leap, to go back to my roots. Back to the Netherlands, back to the place where I grew up. I had to give up everything and my belongings literally fitted in a few cardboard boxes. But I did it. #BestDecisionEver
When you’ve reached rock bottom like that, the only way left to go, is up. Thanks to my family and to some very dear friends, things started getting better again soon. #ThankYouSoMuch
In 2017 I discovered dancing. In Gorinchem I started with my first Bachata lessons, soon followed by some Salsa and Kizomba lessons. #ZoukDushi I wanted to discover all, but in the end it was Kizomba that stole my heart. I fell in love with the moves, the music, the vibes, the connection… I wanted to learn more! #DançAmore
I love to dance. I actually think I might be an addict now…
But still, the most beautiful thing about dancing – and the actual reason I felt like writing this down – is this group of beautiful girls that I got to know. #Nicole #Chantal #Mirjam #Mariska #Nienke #Alexandra I love you girls! 
You rock!
The phone call on Messenger.
After posting the above, I was pleasantly surprised by all the positive response. Not much later that day my phone rang. Messenger… Val Moon?
I knew him being the guy from AfroMoon World. I also remembered dancing with him on two occasions: a Kizomba once in Waalwijk and a Bachata once in Heerde. Anyway, I didn’t pick up at first, assuming he just pushed the wrong button – something I am sure, we’ve all done before. But nope, he didn’t hang up. Okay…
“Ehm… Hello?”
Sharing dance stories.
Long story short: he really liked my post. If I felt like writing more stories… about dancing, about my experiences related to dancing, just all kinds of stuff. Pure and true stories. Oh yes. He got me there. I love to write. Never done much writing in English though, but I did publish a fantasy trilogy in Dutch under the alias Birgit Berg. And for the “English” part, I will just rely on my English AeM-buddy… #Explicitt (There you go, mate.)
So, how about it?
As I came back to the Netherlands, it took me a year to get “the basics” of life in order: Registrations and the endless list of administrative changes done? Check. – Kids in school? Check. – Place to live? Check. – Make a living? Check.
So after doing all that, now what? Oh, right… get a social life. Or some sort of. Well, as a (former) aerobics and fitness instructor I always had a thing with dancing, so why not start there? Something new though. With Google as ones best friend, I soon learned about Bachata and that there were even lessons nearby, in Gorinchem.
Now, how about this dance blog?
I have been dancing for a good year now. Quite often and quite a lot actually. Let’s just state that dancing “does something” to you. I think we can all agree on that? There are many reasons to dance; it’s good for your body, your overall condition, it keeps you off the street (or couch) and you get to meet new people… For me, dancing is the icing on the cake called life. It makes me happy. And yes, meeting new people is a part of that. People are fascinating beings. I have gathered quite some stories and opinions of my own. And since Val asked me to, I will share them here, in this dance blog. I hope you will enjoy reading them. If you have comments or questions, just let me know.
One last thing though: these are my stories, about how I see or experienced things.
Just saying. I don’t claim to hold the truth.
Just dance!
Marloes
(Photography by Victor Reinier)
