Waltzing Vienna

Sway, Rise, Fall: Dancing into the heart of Vienna and its European classical culture.

- Neha Dara

Tucking my arm in his elbow, Bernd opens the door with a little bow and ushers me into the ballroom. Our reflections seem to sparkle in the tall mirrors embedded in the wood panelled walls. I curtsy and take my position for the waltz.

The music begins and we start spinning around the room in a wide circle. I keep my chin up, and my eyes focused on a point two inches offBernd’s left shoulder, trying hard not to get giddy as the tempo picks up. Our feet seem to fly in time with the music. Then he says something that makes me look at him and smile, and snap, I lose my step and stomp on his foot. That’s only the first time. Over eight hours of lessons during the week, I will find myself apologising profusely to Bernd time and again.