Packing Guide

Traveling is one of the best parts of the salsa community. It's a time to laugh, learn, and finally get to know those people you've been spending so much time dancing with. What can be tricky is the determination of what exactly is needed on your trip. While it may seem easy to throw everything in a suitcase, or even bring an extra to be safe, it isn't the quantity of items that makes the trip run smoothly. In order to address the growing number of traveling salsa dancers from the Columbus area, we've tried to put together a fairly comprehensive checklist for all your traveling needs.

With all that said, this is the list of things you ought to bring on your salsa trips.

Clothing and What to Wear

Our checklist lists types of clothes to bring based on the situation. The situations you will generally find yourself in are described below with the same titles that are used in the checklist.

• Travel: These are clothes where comfort is of the utmost importance. If you are driving, make sure your footwear won't hurt after some hours in the car. Think about keys, phones, wallets, makeup kits, and bags. Where are they going to be? What do you need with you vs in the trunk? Are you flying? Wear clothes that go through security easily. The big idea for travel clothes is comfort and accessibility. Anything that bugs you now will kill you after sitting down and not moving for a few hours. Also, you want easy access to anything you think you may need on the trip.
• Workshop: Range of motion, lack of accessories, appropriate shoes. Wear something light and breathable, you will likely work up a sweat. Short or medium length skirts aren't such a great idea, you want as few things to worry about as possible. For shoes, its all about personal preference. Will you have a problem later translating the class material into how you need to do it in heels? For everyone, the fewer bracelets, necklaces, wallets, keys, etc you have on you, the less you have to worry about while you are trying to focus on the class.
• Socials: Your outfit at a salsa social is more on the comfort end of the comfort vs style spectrum. The focus here is on the simple enjoyment of dancing. You don't want to look like a slob, but you don't need to be dressed to the nines either. A simple top and jeans is always a good choice. Khakis, tights, slacks, and dance pants are also good choices. For those in heels, flats are a nice change for the end of the event.
• The Club: Well... it's The Club. You know how you ought to dress, and if you don't then you'll need to go and figure it out. But wear something nice when you go to see what it's like. It will help with the whole "getting in the door" thing. One catch, if you start the night in heels and have a place to stash flats they might save you a lot of pain towards the end of the night.