THE SHIRT! I almost forgot to send you a picture of Sebastian‘s T-shirt (and bag) we received!
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Anna has left for the airport and I did one final walk of the hotel. The place is a ghost town now. But, I was able to run into Polo, a therapy dog from New York. His owner is a Zumba instructor and he brings Polo to the convention every year for people to visit and to bring awareness to his campaign. I just ran into him a few minutes ago and finally had my chance to take a selfie! Polo’s Story: https://youtu.be/Qae03k7v3Uw Website: https://www.polospreadslove.com/
TIL NEXT YEAR.... Convention is over... all the signs are gone. All the people, well the majority, are gone. This morning was our final session and then an amazing closing ceremony. This afternoon Anna and I decided to go to a nearby mall just for a change of scenery on our last day together, and then take the traditional last walk through the hotel and convention center, remembering all the fun memories of the past week. We do have a very big surprise for all my Gold students. I have to wait for “someone” to do “something” and then you’ll see. All I will say for now is that we got up very early this morning to work on it. 😊 Anna’s flight leaves at 10a tomorrow, mine leaves at 4p. I will see you all on Tuesday barring any flight delays! I miss you all so much!
PHOTOS-Saturday So it seems I’m not able to upload videos with the hotel’s WiFi so stay tuned when I get back home! Yesterday was so busy, starting with Cha Cha Fever.... amazing of course! The fitness concert is like a master class with Beto and it was popping’. Then a master class and the theme party, but first dinner with Anna and Sebastian! We had a really nice meal.... he tried, as he says, “this American macaroni and cheese” for the first time ever. We then checked out some great 80’s costumes, and also ran into the very popular instructors from France... Benjamin and Rodrigo. My apologies if the pictures are out of order. And yes, we got our Sebastian t-shirts!
FRIDAY PHOTOS Starting with an early wake up call to line up for the Zwear outlet store. I would have taken pics but it was insane. Here was the line at 7:00. Mind you the store didn’t open until 9:00. I got a couple tops, Anna on the other hand..... well, let’s say she likes to shop! First session was Gold Toning.... OMG you guys, this session was AMAZING! I am excited to show you what I learned! And the best for last, here is a picture with the man himself... the creator of Zumba, Beto Perez! Oh and maybe a new top! Still one more session tonight at 7:00.... then it starts again tomorrow.
THURSDAY PART 3 One of our sessions was cancelled due to instructor illness so we could replace it with another of our choosing. We decided on a belly dance session and let me tell you, it’s quite the workout! I really like one of the songs and hoping to remember it and bring to class. And lastly, our personalized feedback session... nerve wracking but so glad y’all let me practice those songs in class. I did our merengue, Esta Buena. Some of the feedback was: Great facials and energy Great hand cues Very engaging smile, I just have to smile as well when I see you Clear moves, so soft and strong and clear at the same time So funny Really not much in the way of critique other than a few minor suggestions in “instructor speak” Now for some much needed rest!
THURSDAY PART 2 Our first session was “supposed” to be a master class with a particular education specialist. But, we thought we were in the right line and ended up in an amazing session with a popular jammer, which turned out even better! Mind you by now normally we are full of energy.... but we seem to be out of convention practice as we are already losing steam! We kept dancing though.... we can rest later!
PHOTO DUMP FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: It’s early and I’m not awake yet so not organized with the pictures. Descriptions: Got me a new pair of bright pink shoes! So excited as these always sell out fast. A couple pics from a Mega Jam Session that was amazing... as they all are. A little weather pic and view from our hotel room. A Beto sighting, with his assistant and body guard!
PHOTO DUMP.... Today is registration day, the line of instructors is growing as they all start to arrive. We got official word that attendance this year is roughly 4500, one of the smaller years. This is Rachel from the UK, an amazing choreographer. Goldies, you have danced to many of her songs! Got a cool backpack! This is DJ Dani Acosta..... all our warmup mixes are from him!
WE MADE IT! Anna and I are reunited once again and are back to our old silliness! Luckily our room was ready EARLY and we could drop our bags off and walk to IHOP for a combo breakfast/lunch. I gotta say, it was the first time I’ve ever ordered off the senior menu! From there we went to Publix.... I cannot believe it took us over an hour to buy what little food we bought! But we enjoyed every minute of it! After we filled the frig we decided to take a walk through the hotel to the convention center. On the way, we turn the corner and who do we see? SEBASTIAN! Oh it was so good to see him! What started out as a quick conversation ended up with a walk about and an early dinner getting to know him even better. He has an amazing life story.
ALL READY TO GO!! NOT! Partially packed, a lot unpacked. Staged here, there and everywhere. And I can't tell you how many times I've re-chosen my Zumba outfits! How many Zumba shoes do I really need to bring? Ugh. Decisions, decisions. This is what happens when the pandemic interrupts ZINCON for two years.... my packing skills are kaput! On a positive note, I have printed my boarding pass.... so we're T-minus 24 hours now!
WHO IS SEBASTIAN????? Many of you at our in-person classes have heard me mention that I'm meeting Sebastian at the convention again this year. Sebastian is a singer, songwriter, dancer, choreographer as well as Zumba instructor and goodness knows what else(!) from Slovenia. Here is a pic of Anna and I with him back in 2018 as well as a link to one of my favorite songs of his (which Anna and I are working on choreography for you - stay tuned). Here's the link to his official music video: Click here
IT'S STARTING TO GET REAL! Session handouts have arrived and are all printed and ready to go. Inside each is a breakdown of what each session is going to look like (most begin with a Master Class), along with songs and steps we'll be learning (and choreo already noted for us!) Which session am I most excited for? Hmm.... great question.... possibly Zumba Gold Toning as I absolutely love that format. Which session am I most nervous about? Personalized Feedback of course! Which session would YOU be most excited to attend? 🤔