Floating along the Sein as the sun set over Paris is a scrumptious way to see the city. My cousin and were I stretched out on the back seat of the tour boat, half-listening to the five-language translation, spoken at lightning speed by our blonde and very chic guide. We bathed in the last rays of day as the Eiffel Tower, the Musee D'Orsay, Place de Concord, Le Louvre and the smallest house in Paris drifted past.

Suddenly, I was snapped out of my daze by the mention of the word "tango". It had been my dream for the past year to learn tango and my best friend and I had spent hours in my room watching dvds, youtube clips and films on the famously passionate dance-form.

"On your right," said our tour guide, "you will see the Place de Saint Bernard, where tango sessions are held every night of the week in the summer months."

Bingo.

Two hours later I was in the arms of a rather short, extremely intense and kind-eyed Chinese man, dancing the tango like a pro, well, almost.

Place de Saint Bernard is a wonderful place on a summer's night: musicians and brass bands come to play, jam and practice, juggling artists, poi and fire stick twirlers mesmerised us, and of course the tango is always a sight to see. The dancing takes place in one of the little piazza-like spaces along the banks of the Seine. It's lit by a street lamp and the twinkling lights of restaurant boats drifting by.

I sat watching the entwined couples for a while until I realised my Chinese man (I still feel sad that I managed to both forget his name and lose his contact details) and several others seemed to be switching dance partners frequently, taking people to the side for instructional talks. I made eye contact. He smiled. He spoke a little French to me. I deduced that he may be asking me to dance.

"Oui"escaped my lips and that was it, we were off.

My vague prior experience in latin dance and his masterful teaching/leading had me twirling around the dancefloor in no time. It felt as though I'd been dancing for years, though I didn't really understand how my body was doing what it was...as though I was acting upon pure intuition, him leadin me through each step as though it was pre-determined.

It was one of the most passionate moments of my life, the tango and dance and music is just so full of zest. I would definately say that tango is for everybody: as they say in Argentina - if you can walk, you can tango! If South America is too far to go for you, hope along to Paris and get empassioned in the Place du Saint Bernard!

Even better - it's free! All they ask is a donation (usually 1-3 euro) for the sound system. Get those dancing shoes on!