Archive for May, 2009
1st Vallenato Party in Bogota Colombia
Posted on 29. May, 2009 by Colin.
SUMMARY: Description of my first time seeing a vallenato band. After the party I decide to go back to AA.
There was a party at a bar in my Chapinero neighborhood. I got there and found Guillermo, the owner’s brother. We started talking shop. We drank beer and rum. Guillermo served in the Colombian military and was sent with the United Nations to Israel, Beirut, and Egypt in the early 90s. We talked about Colombia’s war against FARC, which we both agree will come to an end within ten years. All the while we got smashed… Read more
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My First Paisa in Colombia
Posted on 17. May, 2009 by Colin.
SUMMARY: I get drunk and go to Plaza Lourdes to get high, where I meet my first paisa from the Antioquia subculture in Colombia.
Alternate Title: My First Run-In with Cocaine in Colombia
I met my first paisa last week. I’d heard of paisas from a guy who worked the graveyard shift at hotel in La Candelaria. He was from Medellin, the land of paisas. He told me they’re Colombia’s crazy culture – street-smart, involved in crime. Hot-headed people, quick to pull guns… Read more
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Colombian Food: 1st Impressions
Posted on 12. May, 2009 by Colin.
SUMMARY: Descriptions of my first preferred Colombian plates: bandeja paisa, changua, and fruit salads. With pictures.
Colombian food is not as good as Peruvian. Peru spoiled me. Colombian lunches include a piece of meat, rice, fries, and platano. I miss Peruvian food. These are some good plates I’ve discovered already… Read more
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Crime and the Bogota Mentality
Posted on 08. May, 2009 by Colin.
SUMMARY: Describing crime and the Bogota atmosphere. Features The Suit in La Candelaria, The Bogota Atmosphere, and The Bogota Mentality.
One night in La Candelaria I was watching the corner from my 3rd floor hotel room around 8:30 pm. At this corner there’s always a vagrant or two going through trash bags, asking passersby for money, etc. Down the hill a young Colombian in a suit carrying a briefcase walked toward this corner … Read more
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Barranco Murals in Lima, Peru
Posted on 02. May, 2009 by Colin.
Murals in the Barranco neighborhood in Lima, Peru.
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Save Barranco!
Posted on 02. May, 2009 by Colin.
SUMMARY: Description of Barranco, the coolest neighborhood in Lima, Peru. Features SALVEMOS BARRANCO!, Kaminu Hostel, Galería Lucía de la Puente, Pedro de Osma Museum, and Help Retro Bar.
For our time in Lima my brother and I stayed in Barranco, just south of Miraflores along the coast. I fell in love with the neighborhood. Beautiful and clean with an artsy character not found in Miraflores. We were offered weed early and often. Barranco has Lima’s best murals (though put to shame by Bogota). See Barranco murals … Read more
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Lima City Rocks
Posted on 02. May, 2009 by Colin.
SUMMARY: Stories from my time in Lima, Peru. Sections include La Molina, Magdalena, Larco Museum, Miraflores: #1 Gringo Destination, Chorrillos: The Beach, Callao: Gangsta!, Water Park, Lima Nightlife, and Pics.
I had a negative impression of Lima. Arequipa is quirky in that Arequipeños consider themselves a different country. They won’t say they’re Peruvians, they’re arequipeños. It’s like Texas and Texans but worse. Arequipa has its own flag and passports. The founding day of Arequipa is a bigger party than Peruvian Independence Day … Read more
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