Hola Pandas!

Ready to hear about Ella’s first flamenco lesson?

That’s right – the dancer who I saw performing on the street invited me to come by to learn a few moves. Of course I needed to look the part, so I put on my colorful flamenco outfit complete with polished shoes and pulled-back hair.

She actually looked pretty authentic.

Anyway, we went over to the place where we had last seen the band. The lady dancer saw me and called me over. She asked my name. “Mella…oh no, that’s not it…Ella.” I was really nervous, but she smiled back. “Hola Ella. Me llamo Monica. I’m glad you came back.” She then ordered Max to clap out a rhythm for us to dance to. Max began to clap, but it sounded more like applause than a beat.

Yeah, I didn’t know what she was talking about. Then the burly singer with the guitar from earlier came up to me, put my paws in his hands and made me feel the rhythm. It sounded a lot different from what I had done and Monica immediately began to dance. “Look Ella. Do what I do.” Ella did her best, but it didn’t look like her arms or legs agreed with what her brain was telling her to do. “Ella, you must feel flamenco in your blood. Close your eyes and look deep inside of yourself. Vamanos!”

I closed my eyes really tight and listened to the rhythm. I don’t know what I looked like, but I think I did pretty well for a couple of minutes at least!

Do any of you Pandas dance? Any kind – hip hop, ballet, flamenco, ballroom…?

We have to get ready for our next destination – Africa! I’d love to pet a monkey!

Be on the lookout for our postcard from Spain!

Be good Pandas,

Ella and Max