The show starts and it’s Mark and Karen’s turn. You can see them both waiting to be called to the floor behind the red curtain, when Mark’s anticipation and excitement almost has made him jump to the floor before time in more than one occasion. The last reassurance glance from Karen when their names are called, the smile they offer to each other, and then, there they go to the dancing floor to give us their best.

On the floor you can see in Mark’s eyes the look of concentration for a moment, then the music starts and the transformation occurs…He’s being the ultimate Matinee hero, Prince Charming, the proud and powerful Matador, the Cuban Salsero, the King of Copacabana, even Elvis, and last week an intense, sensual, masculine and electric Argentine Gaucho. When the music stops, you can see Mark sighing with relieve, and then that shy, charming smile appears again with the real Mark…Mark the Chameleon…

…and Karen the Magician who made this transformation possible. She turned this rough diamond into the fabulous jewel he is now. She understood not only he was a great mover, but also that he could get ‘the feeling’ of the music and transfer it to the steps, the moves... She understood his clearly artistic side and gave him the opportunity to put together his musicality, great movements and interpretation in a way that only true performers do. So real, so convincing, so authentic…


And what a JOURNEY is being! And I don’t meant his, but our journey…Mark and Karen have taken us from the lovely Vienna to the bullfighting ring in Spain, through the carnival in Brazil to the Argentine Pampas in 3 months…But this fantastic journey is almost over, and next week will be the last time we will be transported to wherever they want to take us…I cannot help but being sad about it, like when you are having a great holiday which are about to finished but you don’t want to…I hope Mark lifts that trophy for Karen, for us…Thank you for giving us such a great time!

Ah what a lovely post!

You have summed them up perfectly - Win or loose I am really looking forward to the final

What an eloquent post. I agree with everything you say.

It would be an absolute travesty if they did not take the trophy now, so please keep voting everyone.

Ahhhhhhh...beautiful post.

Win or loose I cannot believe the transformation in that man. Just compare Rumba performance to AT performance. What a quantum leap!

Best of luck to them both for the final, they deserve to lift that trophy.

Wow olympia thankyou for putting into words what so many of us feel. So glad you posted!
I agree with everything you said. I am looking forward to the final so much and above all hope they have fun, they've given us so much entertainment haven't they, I have watched the salsa and AT so many times I couldn't count!

Beautiful post, I thought I was reading the beginning of a story....Maybe you should turn it into one; its has real flair!

you know that was beautiful.. can i put that in with the card we'r sending.. we arent doing messages as they akll went in the scrapbook but i really really like this!

Sam - with permission from olimpia I think it should go with the card - it's wonderful!

Yes please, that's perfect!!

ok, dont all attack me at once, but what a load of old tosh. That could be said for any of the couples especially matt, probably more as he really was bad at the start.

This thread really made me cringe, and the responses. Its TV come on..

runs for cover

You won't be attacked by me - you are more than entitled to your opinion. It's just I don't agree with you - sorry

If it makes you cringe though - just stay away!

Neither do I .It's afab post and expresses what mnay of us feel

I'm not going to attack you in least Although you must obviously like to be attacked, because coming on this thread and criticising the thread is liking going into a shark infested water with a bleeding wound. It's fair enough of you to start thread's about Karen and her big mouth. I don't agree with you, but that is the reason why I won't post on your thread. However, it's another story to come on this thread (which is clearly an appreciation thread) and criticise the people that have set it up .

lol well thanks for not killing my post , and dont worry you'll get no more trouble from me on this thread. I've said my piece and am walking away

oh and btw im not criticising karen and mark in the thread, i just think its all a bit much, i think it could be said for all of them
Last edited by fottiechick : 18-12-2006 at 12:08

I'm flattered! Of course you can use it if you want.

that's fantastic, it really captures the magic of their dancing!

Lovely post olimpia. I agree it's that ability of Mark to feel the dance and act the role that sets him apart. With the exception of the Rhumba he's done it fantastically.

Lovely post Olympia and IMO very true.

that was a really lovely thing to say, it sums up all the hard work they have both put in and the great time we have all had watching them

cant wait to see them win on saturday now

Absolutely fabulous post! Gave me goosebumps from head to toe!

And yes, the same could be written for all of the contestants, and if people want to - they can!!

Thanks for this Olimpia!

Nice post, Olympia!

Beautiful post. I'll be a very sad when it's all over on Saturday - although even sadder if Mark and Karen don't win.

gorgeous post !!!!!

What a fabulous post. You should write a book!

A wonderful and beautiful post, you should think about writing romance novels cos u'll be great at them.

Could u write some more when Mark wins