Class
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Yes, you can take class in Mexico. And what a trip! They love to use American music to teach class, so you will probably recognize the tune but not the words as they'll be in Spanish. This will keep you laughing through most of the class. If that wasn't enough, the chance of your instructor speaking English is very slim. Fortunately, dance is very physical and visual, because it really is a kick to get all your choreography and corrections in a foreign language and still make it happen. Keep laughing, the teacher and other students will have as much fun with this as you will.

The truth is most Americans with any dance training at all can teach jazz in Mexico. The quality of jazz dance is really behind the times. So get a good stretch, keep in shape and have some fun, but don't expect to pick up too many new steps or styles. The price of class is very reasonable, slightly lower than what you might pay in the States. I have visited quite a few schools in Mexico City, but haven't seen many schools outside of the city. If you have the chance to teach you should go for it. Let me tell you all you'll need to know; uno, dos, tres, quatro, cinco, seise, siete, ocho. Everything else is universal.

Sightseeing
Only one thing to say about sightseeing in Mexico, DO IT! Every trip I made was wonderful. The pyramids, parks, museums, botanical gardens, beaches, nightclubs, shopping, everything. Mexico has a very modern subway system similar to Paris and light years ahead of New York. Although it is very crowded, it is easy to negotiate around town and very inexpensive. We're talking pennies here.

Another adventure in sightseeing is to rent a volkswagen and experiment on your own. The hotels do carry maps in English and the tourist spots are accentuated. Remember to purchase car insurance. Your U.S. car insurance is not valid there. One other thing, when you are driving your rented car, be sure to beep your horn a lot. I don't know why, but it doesn't seem to have the hostile connotations it does in the States. So beep your horn, smile, and maybe someone will think you are a local.

Cost of living
I think you will be amazed at how far your money will go in Mexico. Since eighty percent of the American dance shows will be performed in Mexico City, I will use that city as our financial example (remember, tourist cities like Acapulco and Cancun will be more expensive).

A dancer in Mexico City will be earning $450 a week, dancing one show a night, six nights a week. When you compare that to the average construction laborer who makes $120 a week U.S. (six days) and has to pay his own rent, you'll begin to see the point. It is my opinion that a dancer can take care of personal items, food, and even entertainment two or three times a week for $150 - $200 U.S. I know this is a base figure, some dancers will spend more, some less, but for those who are trying to save money, you'll be relieved to know that you can enjoy Mexico and still put away $200 - $300 a week.

Example: You can have dinner for two in a fabulous restaurant, mariachis playing, wonderful view of the water, huge seafood platter for two including lobster, shrimp and fish, a couple of margaritas, everything. When the check arrives - around $30 U.S. dollars.

Where do I sign up? I want to go back.

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