Sweatin´ to the Oldies...

In effort to find some alternative outlet for getting out of the house, perhaps making some friends, and procrastinating my nightly homework, I´ve just become "Radical Gym´s" newest, and maybe first, gringa member. What an honor. Judging by the commotion I stirred up upon signing up, I think I´m going to be quite the hot number there...and perhaps the best piece of advertising they could have hoped for! The gym looks something like what Arnold Schwarzenegger's first basement set-up could have looked like. Although, I´m not sure if Arnold is as excited about fluorescent green wallpaint as it seems Peruvians are. Its a crude, cave-like space about the size of a large bedroom, full of old machines from the 70s. There´s even an adjacent "aerobics studio" that was full of women dancing to The Hansons and, afterwards, using measuring tape around their waists to check the progress. I´m thinking this is going to be pretty awesome.

Radical Gym-Session 1

I´ve just come from my first work out session at Guadalupe´s "Radical Gym" after which I´ve decided that I really must hire me my very own contingent of Latin men to watch me while I workout all the time!! It really does something positive for your stamina. Whereas I generally tend to be quite a quitter when it comes to the gym...I now find myself barreling forward at rapid speeds, very conscious of my form and posture! It also helps that, this morning I dug my ipod from its dormant place in my bag. So, to the tune of MIA and La Tigre, I was able to ride that stationary bike all over Portland's east side...down to Hanna and Wolfs old house (where I danced a number or two in their old basement), along Alberta (paying homage to the CCC and La Bonita), to 28th and Burnside (with a stopoff at the Hungry Tiger) and up and down NE 14th at high speeds (I love NE 14th). My contingent of onlookers were quite intrigued by the post-workout Yoga, and I was compelled to lead the lot in a brief, invigorating, and certainly ridiculous, session of poses. I was outside of myself looking onto the situation, bursting with laughter, the entire time. I promised the instructor that tomorrow, I´d be present for the 5pm aerobics class...