Since I was writing about Latin music and dance, I thought it would only be right for me to give salsa dancing a try. I heard from several people that Thursday nights at Ryles was a good place to start. Before my lesson I began wondering just how dirty this dancing was going to be. Instructor Suzanne Steele warned me on the phone that she was a happily married woman with children, and I shouldn't get the wrong idea if she took me aside to show me some steps. Sounds like I'd been missing out on a good time.

Partners aren't necessary, but Steele said most people bring one; I brought my friend Lauren Goodwin. Shortly after we arrived at Ryles, Lauren was mortified to realize that she was still wearing the red rubber shoes that had been part of her Halloween costume earlier that day (she had dressed as the Teletubby Po). She was still brave enough to continue with the lesson.

We carefully tried to follow the basic side-to-side step. Everyone in the room counted the beat, grunting "Un-ca-cha," or something like that. We managed fine with the basic step, until we had to dance facing each other. It always felt as if Lauren and I were on a different step. Making matters worse, we tended to goof around with extraneous spins and dips.

When Steele asked for someone from the group to come forward and help her demonstrate a step, I gave Lauren a nudge. Steele caught me in the act, and told me that those who volunteer others automatically become volunteers themselves (tip: stand perfectly still if you don't want to dance in front of 100 strangers).

Steele makes it all look incredibly easy. After our 45-minute lesson, Lauren and I tried dancing with other people. It was fun, but also a bit tricky. Steele was kind enough to help us out. Lauren was having a problem with her basic step. I'm not sure if it was the red rubber Teletubbie shoes, or a lack of rhythm (as one of her roommates confessed to me later: "She's no good at things like that") but she had a tough time picking up the step. I did OK with the step, but found that it was easier to dance with someone who knows how to salsa.

The following night I tried out my newfound skills at El Bembe in the South End, and it seemed much easier. Especially since I stumbled upon partners who were wearing shoes made of leather instead of rubber.

- C.M.