Tango and More in Manila

Some of my classmates in my tango class in Guam decided to go to the first Manila Tango Marathon, and I took the "step" and made arrangements to go as well. I didn't know if I was ready, but they kept encouraging me. I'm very glad I went. Not only was it a fantastic event, but I also enjoyed being in Manila, the Makati area specifically.

The event was in the evenings on for three nights, so we had the days to enjoy besides the evening of dancing. I chose our hotel because of its proximity to the venue, which was the Makati Sports Complex. Little did I know that it was a good choice of hotel for other reasons. The Picasso Boutique turned out to be a very nice hotel, and it seemed that everyone from the housekeepers to the front desk to the doormen, seemed to be focused on making our stay enjoyable. 

Our request for two beds was granted.

View from our room. Busy, but not noisy. Great location.

Drinks before heading to the event right outside our hotel. This bar/restaurant is The Pablo.

​We also discovered a restaurant, Wildflour Cafe, just two doors down that we loved so much we ate there every day of our stay.

My first meal there, shakshooka, was delicious. Baked eggs atop a savory tomato sauce. My second meal, I went light and had the granola with fruit and yogurt (so good, I bought a bag to bring home). My third meal was this chicken and waffles dish in the middle. It was good, but I won't order it again. We went there for an afternoon snack and had this bacon sticky bun that was the bomb!

Since I just had my haircut recently, I only needed a shampoo/blowdry. So here I am after.

Another great reason to be in Manila is all the "self-care" stuff at fantastic "can't pass it up" prices. There was a salon two doors from the hotel, Studio 1119, that had all kinds of services, including massages, which was the best I have had in a long time. It was the endorphin-releasing kind of massage that kept me smiling for days. 

Another thing we chanced upon was the Salcedo Saturday Market, just about 2 minutes walk from our hotel. It was a small open-air market, but had lots of interesting goods, especially food treats. This ice cream was really good for 150 pesos: avocado, ube, cookies and cream and chocolate all on one cone. 

And of course, the main reason we were here was to attend the Manila Tango Marathon. I don't know how they did it and who was responsible, but it was a very well-organized event, with a team of men and women working together to make sure everyone had a good time. It was great to have the opportunity to dance with many men. I am a beginner, but I wanted to dance even if I knew I wasn't the best dancer in the room (far from it). It is like a bug. I got bit and I want to keep trying to get better and better. Maybe next year, I won't feel like a beginner.