Ryan and Rosa in Bogota
SUMMARY: I had some unpublished pictures from when my brother and a Peruvian ex-girlfriend visited. Not much story to tell, except for a quick dittie on me taking my brother to a brothel for the first time. And previously unpublished pics.
My brother helped me move here. We met Damien and went to a club the first night. Not much story to tell.
Damien also knew an American guy in Bogota. We met him and his friends the next night at one of the hottest clubs in Bogota – Penthouse. Damien’s buddy and all his buddies were Fulbright Scholars teaching at Universidad Los Andes. We got drunk off beer and aguardiente on the roof.
My brother and I’d been drinking for almost two weeks by that Sunday and Ryan was scheduled to fly out early Tuesday morning. So we took it easy Sunday and then get drunk all night Monday until his flight. He planned to get so drunk that’d he be able to sleep on the planes all the way back to STL. … Read more
Vallenato in Colombia
Alternate Title: My 1st Party in Colombia & I’m Going Back to AA
SUMMARY: I describe a party where I see my first vallenato band. And after the party I decide to go back to AA. Vallenato video at the end.
I sometimes frequent a cafe in my neighborhood because it’s a local student hangout for the university across the street and they sell beers for 1500 pesos ($0.70).
Now, I had been thinking that I’ve been drinking too much lately and I cooled out for a while. However, one of the managers of this fine establishment started hounding me to come to their big party on Friday. What was the occasion? Friday was the last day of the students’ semester.
So I went without a drink from Sunday until Friday and I was feeling great. I realized I had to make an appearance at the cafe since the manager’s brother Guillermo is probably going to be a client of mine. I planned to make an appearance, have a beer or two, and disappear while no one was looking… Read more
My First Paisa in Colombia
SUMMARY: I get drunk and go to Plaza Lourdes to get high. I meet my first paisa, a pseudo-ethnic subculture in Colombia.
Alternate Title: My First Run-In with Cocaine in Colombia
I met my first paisa last week. I’d heard about the paisas before. The guy who worked the graveyard shift at my Candelaria hotel was from Medellin, as are the paisas. He told me they’re the crazy culture in Colombia. The street-smart, hot-headed people. Somewhat involved in crime. Quick to pull guns. In other words, they’re the niggaz of Colombia. The black Colombians don’t have that reputation here; the paisas do.
The most famous paisas include Pablo Escobar (of Medellin Cartel fame) and, ironically, the current president Alvaro Uribe, who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George W. Bush last year. Others include Juanes and painter Fernando Botero. The paisas aren’t necessarily of a different ethnic lineage. The Medellin region is their distinction. They’re associated with the coffee industry, and cocaine too. In fact, the textbook stereotype of a paisa is Juan Valdez, the face figure of the Juan Valdez coffee brand. Juan Valdez is the Starbucks of Colombia, a chain of coffee shops modeled after Starbucks.
So I was drinking rum in Plaza Lourdes on a Thursday night. … Read more
Lima City Rocks
SUMMARY: Profile of and stories about Lima, Peru (finally) after one week in the city of 8 million – also my last week in Peru. Sections include La Molina, Magdalena, Larco Museum, Miraflores: #1 Gringo Destination, Chorrillos: The Beach, Callao: Gangsta!, Water Park, Lima Nightlife, or Other Pics.
Due to Arequipa hometown pride and dislike / jealousy of Lima, I had only heard that Lima was big, congested, gray, and dangerous. The only good thing Arequipeños say about Lima is that the food is better. However, I found Lima to be a great city. Of all the things people say about Lima, nobody ever says that it is beautiful. Which is a shame, because it is a beautiful city! Read more
The Final Word on Bricheras
SUMMARY: After one year in Peru, I discuss my final impression of what it means to be a brichera. I categorize them as Type 1’s or Type 2’s. Sections include My First Brichera!, Type 1,and Type 2.
Well, I’ve written extensively on the phenomenon known as bricheras in Peru. You can freshen up by reading these posts: Amigos and Bricheras and The Brichera Scowl and the Second Date. I’m now leaving Peru, so I thought I ought to share what I’ve learned. Plus, I scored a one-night stand with my first bona fide brichera during my last week in Arequipa… Read more
The Cusco Incident
SUMMARY: I go to Cusco and get in trouble. The police may be looking for me. Long but interesting story with pictures.
EXCERPT: I think I need to try another run at sobriety. I feel that, one of these days, I’m not going to come out on top… Read more
