Many people think that crossing a continent by bicycle is living the dream. And it definitely is wonderful! However, it’s personally not my biggest dream in this world. Don’t get me wrong, I do love cycling, yet there are many things I love just as much or even more (rock climbing, paragliding, diving…). And there’s one thing that has been a dream of mine ever since I can remember: dance.

Germany room. A svastika on the wall and a Schumacher relief in the ceiling. Cuba room with a soft pillow on Fidel Castro’s lap. The “Clinic” for multiple couples. A never ending chess game between Osama Bin Laden and George W. Bush in the USA room – obviously without towers. Welcome to Kiss me – Latin America’s biggest theme motel!

Some cities are perfect for parkour. When I entered Cali, I noticed quite a few structures that would be great for jumping and climbing on, yet I had no idea that the parkour scene here is as big as it is. It seems that not only is Cali a great (the best) city for salsa, it’s also amazing for those who love to venture in urban spaces.

Carmen Lopez (or Grupo de Danzas Folclóricas “Carmen Lopez”) is the performing folkloric dance group of the Universidad del Valle in Cali, Colombia. It was founded by a woman named Carmen Lopez in 1965 and was recognized by the university in 1978. The current leader of the group is former dancer Mr. Francisco Emerson Castañero. I went to their performance in Batallón Pichincha in Cali.

En Quito, Ecuador, hice una entrevista con Teleamazonas en mayo 2017, justo antes de volverme a la costa. He respondido a las mismas preguntas ya muchas veces antes, pero siempre hay algo nuevo, por lo menos el acento de la persona que hace las preguntas…

I haven’t posted much lately, because I’m in Cali! I love dancing and so at the moment I’d rather concentrate on breathing in all the salsa I can get than staying online. However, I promise I’ll get back to writing again soon. As it’s Saturday and time for La Topa Tolondra again, I decided to create a short salsa playlist for you to get into the mood as well. Here you go!

Traducido por Mónica Dábala del artículo MOTHER’S DAY – HAPPINESS AFTER VIOLENCE (escrito en el día de la madre).

Hoy es el día de la madre. Un día en el que las familias celebran a las madres, si están presentes, y un día para conmemorarlas si no lo están. Mi día de la madre este año ha sido un día que seguramente voy a recordar por un largo tiempo – no por su belleza, sino porque viví una realidad que deseo que nadie tenga que atravesar.