I left my notebook that I was writing in at Saman Hostel in Medellin. Medellin was nice. I had a lovely conversation the last night I was there with Patricia. I enjoyed the city and the sites, but it was time to go. There was too much drugs and poverty in plain sight. This disturbed me deeply. I wanted to help, but did not know what to do. With 3 days left I traveled to Cartegena to see the coast, and the old town. I bought a notebook on the first day I arrived. These are my scrambled writings the last few days.
22-7-14
9:26
2 days until I fly home. Cartegena is quite beautiful. I'm in the San Diego area which is touristy but nice. It's really hot and humid here.
11:03
Poem
Whenever I see
A plastic bag
Floating in the air
I tend to sit and stare
Upon the angel of wind
It thrashes to and fro
No path, No cares
Its future
Unpredictability
16:21
Tomorrow is the last day of travel. It's been a good trip. It was slow at times, and fast at times. I sort of can't believe this is the end, just when I was starting to get real comfortable moving on the road. On another note, my replacement has reached her site.
18:30 - Salsa Club
Organized group dancing = +
19:43 - Song Lyrics
Every dog has its day
Find a place to shine
Pieces of a broken heart
Tossed into the sky
Where you're going
You don't know
Following the Sun
Precious times
Holding Hands
Two become as one
21:05
Poem
4 meter wide street
Lined by glowing lights
Corridors of today
That lead to tomorrow
Humid heat
Everything melts
Sweat drips like
Icicles at dawn
Slowly and Surely
Street Vendors
Push Carts
With Styrofoam boxes
Keeping liquids cool
Music pumps
Bombastic from the
2nd floor and filters
To the streets below
Horses with wagon in tow
Clank
Hooves
Pulverize ground
The stars above
Whisper speckled blessings
As sea breeze
Tousles Colombian flags
San Diego
Is calm but livid
Serene and awake
Pushing, and Thriving
Through the darkness
23:11
Tomorrow I fly out and leave Colombia and go back to America with some change in my pocket (about 500 USD.) Prepare for the worst, expect the best!! It's been a journey and all things come to an end. Celebrate in the fact that you have made it this far. Be free!!!
-
First Corona in 2 and 1/2 years tastes amazing. Can't wait to get back to enjoy more!!!
23-7-14
13:07
I'm waiting in the airport for my flight. It's hard to believe that I'll be home in less than 24 hours. It's strange to finally reach this far.
An image conjured up in my mind. I'm at home. We're having the welcoming party. My mom asks me to play the guitar for everyone. After much prodding, I finally pick up the instrument and start playing. In the beginning of the second verse she starts swaying back and forth, and singing loudly to some unknown rhythm.
Reaction 1: I stop playing say "Iwe !!, I mean Imwe, are you really going to distract me at this moment."
Reaction 2: I laugh and smile, nod at her and keep on playing.
Reaction 3. I put the guitar away and leave the room. Upon entering the room again I say "Let's try this again."
-
It's gonna be a trip.
-
Yesterday, I was told by Emily, that I have a European accent. (She's from California)
19:58
Rule Breaking
Why do I break rules?
Example: Leaving your luggage unattended to go to the bathroom.
Reason: I believe in the goodness of people and the respect of others property. I feel someone must be extremely desperate to steal luggage. I believe in the good of humanity. I am saddened when I witness the nature of evil. Like Patricia said. All the bad people who are not kind hearted, decent human beings should fall to their death in an earthquake; the ground will just swallow them up.
-
This next step in life I need to go forward with the things I want to do. Playing guitar, writing, making t-shirts, and helping the world. I need to put forth true effort and not think about how people perceive my art, but progress in my own fashion.
24-7-14 (about to board the plane)
5:06
It's sort of funny. I feel like I have nothing substantial to write about the close of my trip. There are a couple of things you learn while traveling.
1. The world is a safe place. All those places that you hear are dangerous are no more scary or precarious than those dark back alleys in your own neighborhood.
2. Hostels are great places to meet people, because people that stay at hostels are open and have a sense of adventure. This moves them to explore the world and travel.
3. Airports are great. They are like tiny villages where everyone is happy and willing to answer a question or lend a hand.
4. Do not drink the water unless you are used or have an iron clad stomach. A bout of diarrhea can quickly turn south. You could also pick up giardia which is 10 times worse.
5. Travelling is great. You get to immerse yourself in different cultures and realize that there is more than 1 way to crack an egg.
6. Everyday is a new adventure where literally anything can happen.
7. Make no plans, but plan ahead.
8. Learn the local language. This will save you time and energy trying to get around and buying things. It will also help, so you don't get ripped off.
-
I don't know what I was expecting to feel at the end of this trip. Happy to go home. Relieved to go back. Anxious, nervous, and excited to see all my family and friends. Estranged to how I will react to things in the US.
-
How will my relationships with friends and family be?
-
I don't see America as my home right now. Will this pass? Will this stay?
7:30 (In terminal about to board the plane)
Something is different, Something has changed
-
Encountering angry American. Some guys cursed out the lady behind the flight desk. He made a scene :(
-
I was patted down to take a plane back to the US. When I was abroad I was never patted down.
-
I slowly feel things changing. I'm not the foreigner anymore.
-
Little kids are not terrified of you.
13:00
I'm back in the states and it feels really good.
-
I'm at the terminal with people going to NY. I can see the NY in them, it's pretty awesome. It brings a smile to my face.
-
It's nice to see Americans again, especially the black ones. There are black people wherever you go around the world. We are international.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Sunday, July 20, 2014
3 Reasons why should travel by bus while moving accross countries
3 Reasons why should travel by bus while moving accross countries
1. Busses are much cheaper than planes. You can save money, and use your well earned funds to buy delicious food, and drinks.
2. You´'ll get to see amazing landscapes acroos the way. Imagine your window as your own portal into a brave new world. You will see all those little towns on the map that are not in tour guides. You will actually, get to stop in some of them and mozy around. Maybe you shall find a hidden gem.
3. You can sleep. When you wake up, you will be at your final destination, ready to hit the streets running!!!
Friday, July 18, 2014
Travel Alone is Never Alone
This morning I woke tilted my head back and peered out the window. Dark clouds loomed endlessly in the atmosphere, so I went back to sleep. When I woke up for the second time I pulled myself out of bed and took a shower. After bathing I realized how bad I smelled, and counted the days on my hand since water had touched my skin, it was totaled four. I thought to myself ''eh not bad, I've done worse.''
Anyways travel alone is never alone. Over a breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs, toast, and coffee, I struck up a conversation with one of my dorm-mates who was eating nearby. We talked for a while about a bunch of things, and then I asked, ''are you travelling alone?'' He grinned, pushed his hair out of his eyes paused, then said ''yeah, but travelling alone is never alone.'' He went on to explain that when you are travelling by yourself staying at hostels and using public transportation you tend to meet people and sometimes end up travelling with them; this happens all the time. He went on to describe the nature and mindset of of these situations. When you're travelling you meet people who are open minded, friendly and are happy to invite you on their adventure. Just today I have met three people who are down to explore Bogota with me, and have given me travel advice for the future places I will visit here in Colombia.
On the flip side when you're travelling in groups your experience is quite different. While writing outside I met a guy from France who is living in Spain at the moment and travelling through South America. We agreed on the aspects of travelling alone, but he added on to the conversation. He said, ''when you travel in groups your mentality changes.'' The group keeps to themselves, they're not actively looking as much to add to their group, even though some people will join them for stints at a time. They're comfortable in their social circle.
He then went on to talk about, how after living in Spain for a year he was shocked at how uncivilized people in France were to tourists and immigrants after arriving back. I think it left a sour taste in his mouth. He even said that when he was in New York it was the same. The French people congregated in packs and kept to themselves. Birds of a feather flock together.
What have we learned? Travelling is great, you'll meet all sorts of new people from all over the globe and go on adventures and share new experiences with them. When travelling in groups branch out a bit, step out of your comfort zone, and meet some people; the world is an amazing placed comprised of unique and interesting individuals with different experiences. There is much to learn from just talking to other people. Try it out sometime !!!
Anyways travel alone is never alone. Over a breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs, toast, and coffee, I struck up a conversation with one of my dorm-mates who was eating nearby. We talked for a while about a bunch of things, and then I asked, ''are you travelling alone?'' He grinned, pushed his hair out of his eyes paused, then said ''yeah, but travelling alone is never alone.'' He went on to explain that when you are travelling by yourself staying at hostels and using public transportation you tend to meet people and sometimes end up travelling with them; this happens all the time. He went on to describe the nature and mindset of of these situations. When you're travelling you meet people who are open minded, friendly and are happy to invite you on their adventure. Just today I have met three people who are down to explore Bogota with me, and have given me travel advice for the future places I will visit here in Colombia.
On the flip side when you're travelling in groups your experience is quite different. While writing outside I met a guy from France who is living in Spain at the moment and travelling through South America. We agreed on the aspects of travelling alone, but he added on to the conversation. He said, ''when you travel in groups your mentality changes.'' The group keeps to themselves, they're not actively looking as much to add to their group, even though some people will join them for stints at a time. They're comfortable in their social circle.
He then went on to talk about, how after living in Spain for a year he was shocked at how uncivilized people in France were to tourists and immigrants after arriving back. I think it left a sour taste in his mouth. He even said that when he was in New York it was the same. The French people congregated in packs and kept to themselves. Birds of a feather flock together.
What have we learned? Travelling is great, you'll meet all sorts of new people from all over the globe and go on adventures and share new experiences with them. When travelling in groups branch out a bit, step out of your comfort zone, and meet some people; the world is an amazing placed comprised of unique and interesting individuals with different experiences. There is much to learn from just talking to other people. Try it out sometime !!!
And so it Begins: Communication Breakdown
As stated in my facebook post I`m creating a blog about "chronicling life after PC." This blog will be a place for me to share my views on my journey back to America and my transition. This blog is also a place where anyone can feel free to express their views on a myriad of subjects, ranging from culture diversity to social interaction. It`s really strange writing this on a computer in Colombia at Fulano Backpackers, due to the fact that everything I write is underlined with a red squigly line because I should be typing on Portuguese.
After traveling from the Vale do Capao to Palmieras and driving across the country side I made it to Sao Paulo to catch a plane I arrived at the airport. This trip took about 3 days in total time. When I left Vale de Capao which is a serene hippy town reminescent of Nkhata Bay in Malawi I ended up staying in Palmieras because there were no busses heading out to Rio the next day. So I slept, lounged around, played guitar, walked through the city, had Brazillian Chinese food, and waited on the phone for Bank of America to past the time. The next day I boarded A bus which was supposed to take me to a crossroad, where I would have to take another bus to reach Rio. Long story short, the bus driver didn't tell me when to get off so I proceeded to read Stephens Kings, The Green Mile and take short intermitent naps while reclining in my seat. After reaching Rio I took a taxi to the airport and explained to Emirates my situation which was solved after a pleasant conversation and a short negotiation. Thankfully no exchange of money occurred. If you talk to people and get to know them and build trust people will always help you out. After a 20 siesta in the airport where I wrote, read, and ate delicious food I boarded the plane to my next destination Bogota, Colombia.
After arriving I met some people went out for beers, and discussed in length many topics, but the kicker was mainly about the inequality we witness in this world on a daily basis. In every country inequaltiy is a problem. In third world countries it explains why life is so tough for the poor and so easy for the rich. This discussion went on for a while dicing and slicing this topic in many different ways. For example education is readily available, but it`s not equal. Someone who has a lot of money can pay to send their children to private school and insulate them against the harshness of the world while feeling no strugge. Whereas someone that does not have enough money to send their child to a private school must rely on the government to or public services to educate their children. In third world countries the disparity can be easily seen....
After traveling from the Vale do Capao to Palmieras and driving across the country side I made it to Sao Paulo to catch a plane I arrived at the airport. This trip took about 3 days in total time. When I left Vale de Capao which is a serene hippy town reminescent of Nkhata Bay in Malawi I ended up staying in Palmieras because there were no busses heading out to Rio the next day. So I slept, lounged around, played guitar, walked through the city, had Brazillian Chinese food, and waited on the phone for Bank of America to past the time. The next day I boarded A bus which was supposed to take me to a crossroad, where I would have to take another bus to reach Rio. Long story short, the bus driver didn't tell me when to get off so I proceeded to read Stephens Kings, The Green Mile and take short intermitent naps while reclining in my seat. After reaching Rio I took a taxi to the airport and explained to Emirates my situation which was solved after a pleasant conversation and a short negotiation. Thankfully no exchange of money occurred. If you talk to people and get to know them and build trust people will always help you out. After a 20 siesta in the airport where I wrote, read, and ate delicious food I boarded the plane to my next destination Bogota, Colombia.
After arriving I met some people went out for beers, and discussed in length many topics, but the kicker was mainly about the inequality we witness in this world on a daily basis. In every country inequaltiy is a problem. In third world countries it explains why life is so tough for the poor and so easy for the rich. This discussion went on for a while dicing and slicing this topic in many different ways. For example education is readily available, but it`s not equal. Someone who has a lot of money can pay to send their children to private school and insulate them against the harshness of the world while feeling no strugge. Whereas someone that does not have enough money to send their child to a private school must rely on the government to or public services to educate their children. In third world countries the disparity can be easily seen....
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