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!!!
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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."
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It's gonna be a trip.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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How will my relationships with friends and family be?
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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
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Encountering angry American. Some guys cursed out the lady behind the flight desk. He made a scene :(
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I was patted down to take a plane back to the US. When I was abroad I was never patted down.
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I slowly feel things changing. I'm not the foreigner anymore.
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Little kids are not terrified of you.
13:00
I'm back in the states and it feels really good.
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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.
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It's nice to see Americans again, especially the black ones. There are black people wherever you go around the world. We are international.
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