It’s been 2 months and still in Bogota. Still fighting the bordom. And winning. I’m slowly becoming more disciplined and getting more things done. While here I have no desire to be any where else.

Legal Worker

So I got my Colombian cedula for foreigners. It’s like a temporary work visa/social security card of Colombia. It’s a big step towards being Colombian. Now I can legally work and open a bank account and pay taxes, yet curiously, I can’t sign up for a program to acquire points at the local Colombian version of Walmart. I’ll check to see if I can get a driver’s license because I’d like to purchase a motorcycle.  

Paralysis by too many decisions

I’ve been working on my Bogota video. It’s been difficult because most of what I shoot just isn’t good enough. I find it incredibly difficult to make videos these days. I just need to release the videos and not care about the quality. I’m too critical and generally negative about what I produce. 

 

Teaching English

Teaching has been difficult, but I like the difficultness. It keeps me active and alive. Teaching classes has forced me to wake up early and hit the streets early in the day. If I wasn’t teaching I’d be sleeping-in. Also, I’m forced to sit in front of the computer and rack my brain trying to create stimulating and efficient lesson plans almost every day of the week.

Collaborating with Colombians

I finally filmed a Colombian local to speak in my video of Champinero, the neighborhood that I live in. She was a vendor who wanted to sell me something for an obviously elevated price. I knew what the price should have been, so I said no. Then I said, “Hey I’ll buy that item if you agree to appear in a video with me.” She was hesitant so I explained that she wouldn’t have to do much. I paid for the item and then she said she wasn’t ready to do it and that she would return later. I hear this a lot. And everyone gets cold-feet. So I insisted to film immediately. We filmed and it came out well. And she did well, saying some nice things about the neighborhood. 

House in the Country

I went with my friend Lina to her family’s property an hour outside of Bogota. It was a beautiful weekend and I met a bunch of people and two of them are ladies who I would like to know better. I went out on a date with one, Sofia. We had a good time. We drank and smoked. While at her apartment she broke out 3 bottles of rum for me to taste. Lol. I got so buzzed that on the way home when the Uber driver dropped me off I ended up with his phone in my hand. Luckily, I was able to flag him down before he left. I’ll see Sofia again. She has good energy.

Nightcrawling

I’ve been going out and taking video of the night life. I’m not socializing but at least I’m out there in the action. And there’s lots of action in Champinero, a central part of the city that reminds me of Greenwich Village, New York in the 70’s. 

Caution: Transvestites

So I’m wandering the streets at night just checking out the reality and I was waiting at a bus stop and this transvestite was trying to get my attention. I usually ignore them and/or increase distance from them, but this night I was in a social mood and I wanted to talk to someone. I said hello. He wanted to know if I wanted a companion for the night. I said no. He continued to try to convince me and I continued to say no in various forms. He got the point, while not happy about it, and walked away, but not before giving me a little slap in the genitals area. I was a shocked and didn’t react angrily. I just thought it was funny. But after a few minutes as time passed I got angry. Well, that’s the last time I converse with a transvestite. Sometimes, because of how they appear, we forget they are men. And men will assault you if you piss them off. Luckily it didn’t hurt.

Top Secret Security Clearance

My background check for the US Consulate job is pretty intense. They have spoken with my friends, former co-workers and my youngest brother. I just had a 4 hour interview, which has been the 3rd interview. To date, I’ve had to take 2 tests, one in Spanish, and have had 3 interviews and an evaluation board analyzed my resume. I’m getting a “Top Secret” security clearance, which is surprising because I’ll just be interviewing people who apply for visas at a US Consulate.  

Talking to Strangers

I finally approached and initiated conversation with some women in public. I wasn’t sure what to say. Like, do I just introduce myself and ask them how they are doing? It seems too cliché or fake. I wanted to say something authentic, something that didn’t cause my body language to tick because I’d be saying something I don’t believe in. So I thought of a real question from my inner me. I saw two attractive women walking my way at my gym, Smart Fit, and I asked, “Do you guys know Champinero?” They said yes. I replied, “I’m not from here and I make videos with my drone and I’m looking for a place to film.” They were happy to help. The conversation continued well. I got some good information and I’m thrilled to have overcome a fear. 

Conclusion:

Sometimes what’s best for us is not what we choose in the moment.