Who Paved This Road?

I’ve been here for a little more than a month now. I’ve learned enough spanish to explain to people what I’m trying to say, however, after I talk I realize how stupid I sound. People in Barranquilla are known for talking very fast and using a lot of slang, so while I hang out with people that speak spanish all the time, I understand very little. I kind of like this though because it allows me to focus on other things and I find myself exploring my surroundings a good amount, until someone slaps me out of my own world to bring me into conversation.

This last week I partied like a pirate

and went to a crazy techno/reggae/hip hop show in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Barranquilla. The host of the event was a guy I met when I performed on the TV show two weeks ago.

In between acts he got on stage and told everyone to welcome me to Colombia… I danced in all my gringo glory. I took a cab home from the show at 3am and got a good look at an area I had no buisness being in. The cab driver went about 80 through dowtown, running every red light we came up on. I figured my chances of being killed were higher if we went the speed limit and stopped at the lights, so I said nothing.

Video from the Systema Solar show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10eH3A6JjTE&nofeather=True

Is this place real? I feel like I’m going to be the president of Colombia in a few months if things keep going like they are. Please don’t mistake that thought as me flexing my ego, becaue I have no idea how these things happen to me. I am becoming more certain with each day that someone is watching over me, guiding me in the direction I am moving. If not, I’m one lucky sum-um-a-beach.

Quote from the book I’m reading…

“-How would you ever come to know God’s name for that star?

-You wouldn’t, He holds it close, the boy said. It’s a thing you’ll never know. It’s a lesson that sometimes we’re meant to settle for ignorance. Right there’s what mostly comes of knowledge, the boy said.”

PEACE! -Mic