Linh, it is a pleasure to read this. As for the quote, I find it attributed to Maurice Blanchot, in a reader's review of a book of literary essays by Gilbert Sorentino: "Something said: the unusual title comes from a Maurice Blanchot quote: 'No sooner is something said than something else must be said to correct the tendency of all that is said to become final...' "
Blanchot, a French writer, philosopher, and literary theorist, lived from 1907 to 2003, and was active in the Resistance during the German occupation.
If the current world order collapses, as it seems it must, to some unknowable degree, it seems that human life would still go on in places where people can get what they really need - the corner of the world you are now in sounds like such a place. Many other places would be less livable, however. If things can't go on, they won't.
The phrase "we shall overcome someday" requires flexible definitions of "we", "overcome", and "someday".
As I sip my sublime coffee on my balcony in Manizales watching the sun rise over the mountains and the city, I can say that on the lingering scale of 1-10 Colombia rates an honest 12, for me personally edging out Vietnam at an 11.
I spent a week in Cartagena 4 years ago and my back got sunburned through my t-shirt so this trip I'm spending my 5 weeks here in the mountains, this being my fifth week. I don't really "travel" per se, I come to a place to evaluate whether I could live there full time once I finally decide to weigh anchor and say ciao to Canada. So my goal is to plunk myself in a potential place for 3 weeks, the minimum I feel needed to absorb all, or at least most. I did this in Phu Nhuan district after leaving Da Nang the day covid arrived there. I enjoyed the last normal Têt week there.
I arrived in Bogotá and had 5 days of cool but ok weather, its at 8000ft so 20 was the maximum. Super busy noisy and great food, no safety issues at night. Delicious empanadas cost 60 cents.
I then plunked myself in Medellín...the City of Eternal Spring. It does not disappoint, for 3 weeks it was 23-27 daily some days featuring a 2-4 hour blast of rain making the air fresh and environment lush and beautiful. On sunny days I kept thinking I would awake from a dream. My 2 bedroom place with full kitchen and laundry machine in a good neighborhood was 14usd a night, lunch a block away cost 3.89 and was fresh filling amazing. I ate there every day and after 2 weeks the waitress Candy began calling me Don Antonio.
A former co-worker grew up near Medellín, listening to his music while we painted apartments was the main factor in me choosing this city. Colombia, in my opinion, is the world capital of music, dance and therefore, life...la vida. In some places people still dance in the street. Local tiendas almost always have a few plastic tables and chairs out front for people to drink and bullshit at, a là Vietnam, and thurs/fri/sat nights they are all full and music resounds in the streets. Soccer match nights feature tense crowds amassed on sidewalks in front of bars with ridiculously large tv sets.
The Escobar days are history now, I had zero safety concerns and was only ever proferred narcotics in the tourist haven of Poblado. Of course there are some issues here, a woman explained to me that Colombia is a modern day medieval society, with a class of rich corrupt nobles and an underclass of extreme poor. I would occasionally have to step over ragged men sleeping sprawled on the sidewalk on my way to eat. Despite this poverty very few beg, the people are resilient and determined, many will purchase a large bag of individually wrapped candies to sell at street corners, amongst cars at red lights or leaning over the rail to your table while you are having lunch. At the intersection near my larger grocery a group of Venezuelan boys performed break dancing routines in the street for tips during red lights, one could bound right over a car! In previous times paramilitary groups "cleaned up" the streets, disappearing many of the "ones who got left behind" and a stone quarry at the edge of the city contains the largest mass grave in south america. The government at various times works hand in glove with these groups and existence of this grave is officially denied.
Colombia is one of the most biodiverse places there is. I took photos of the scorpion wasp (!) while on a trek through the forest. Our guide led us upstream of a small river, fording it 8 times up to our knees before reaching the waterfall after an hour. After swimming in the crisp mineral rich water I felt reborn. Here in Manizales I will visit the volcanic hot springs.
I know you enjoy discovering a place for yourself, so I will end it here and let you do so when you arrive. If that happens to be between January and April, your first lunch and round of Club Colombias will be on me...as I am already plotting my extended return. Anyone else reading this, also note one small detail. Colombia has no size 12 shoes, maximum 10 or 11 depending where you go, so pack wisely!
Sounds like a nice quiet place. I suspect that soon such spots will become rarer in some parts of the world.
When you mentioned the terrible beer in Busan, Korea, it took me back to my own 'beer experience' there. Back in 1979, the only two domestic beers were OB and Crown, and neither was worth writing home about, for sure. OB was actually rice beer back then, which explains a lot. It was even worse than the San Miguel I had in the Philippines. Beer just didn't seem to be an Asian thing, perhaps it still isn't. All the Koreans I see on TV drink soju when they go out for drinks..
Speaking of weed....that's the only "consumer product" here in Phoenix where you can still get a good deal. Picked up a 1/4 oz of "Blue Dream" (23% THC) the other day for $30....$35 with tax & tip. At age 68, alcohol does not sit too well with me anymore, but MJ still does the trick.
Any idea what black market marijuana costs where you are ?
ps...Kevin Durant makes his home debut for the Suns this Wednesday....courtside seats going for upwards of $5000. Some people still have money.
Yo Bill, you can get an excellent joint here for under two bucks, so come on over! You might have to change a bus here and there, but it's definitely worth it!--Linh
Loved the smile on the woman and was amazed by the physique of the bike riding woman. The children are so beautiful. Sounds like a lovely place, Linh. Thanks so much.
When I reflect on what the Collective Waste (CW) considers important all I can resolve is that the CW is nothing more than a death cult. Everything that the CW has touched has been abused first then counterfeited. First contact with other cultures: engage, disparage, attack, exploit...rape, pillage and plunder. The real scare is how many think that this way to engage with the world is the only way to... what? It ain't salvation.
Thanks Linh, about the beer quality, former European countries colonies have the best, for obvious reasons. But then I'm wondering, Congo must have excellent beer then. Will investigate.
Linh, it is a pleasure to read this. As for the quote, I find it attributed to Maurice Blanchot, in a reader's review of a book of literary essays by Gilbert Sorentino: "Something said: the unusual title comes from a Maurice Blanchot quote: 'No sooner is something said than something else must be said to correct the tendency of all that is said to become final...' "
Blanchot, a French writer, philosopher, and literary theorist, lived from 1907 to 2003, and was active in the Resistance during the German occupation.
If the current world order collapses, as it seems it must, to some unknowable degree, it seems that human life would still go on in places where people can get what they really need - the corner of the world you are now in sounds like such a place. Many other places would be less livable, however. If things can't go on, they won't.
The phrase "we shall overcome someday" requires flexible definitions of "we", "overcome", and "someday".
I can taste the tranquility.
Presently solo travelling in Colombia I recently gained a new word that describes your writing Señor Dinh. The word is Excelso
Hi Tony,
Thanks! How tempting is it for you to linger in Colombia a while? Would love to hear your insights and anecdotes about that country.
Linh
Morning Linh!
As I sip my sublime coffee on my balcony in Manizales watching the sun rise over the mountains and the city, I can say that on the lingering scale of 1-10 Colombia rates an honest 12, for me personally edging out Vietnam at an 11.
I spent a week in Cartagena 4 years ago and my back got sunburned through my t-shirt so this trip I'm spending my 5 weeks here in the mountains, this being my fifth week. I don't really "travel" per se, I come to a place to evaluate whether I could live there full time once I finally decide to weigh anchor and say ciao to Canada. So my goal is to plunk myself in a potential place for 3 weeks, the minimum I feel needed to absorb all, or at least most. I did this in Phu Nhuan district after leaving Da Nang the day covid arrived there. I enjoyed the last normal Têt week there.
I arrived in Bogotá and had 5 days of cool but ok weather, its at 8000ft so 20 was the maximum. Super busy noisy and great food, no safety issues at night. Delicious empanadas cost 60 cents.
I then plunked myself in Medellín...the City of Eternal Spring. It does not disappoint, for 3 weeks it was 23-27 daily some days featuring a 2-4 hour blast of rain making the air fresh and environment lush and beautiful. On sunny days I kept thinking I would awake from a dream. My 2 bedroom place with full kitchen and laundry machine in a good neighborhood was 14usd a night, lunch a block away cost 3.89 and was fresh filling amazing. I ate there every day and after 2 weeks the waitress Candy began calling me Don Antonio.
A former co-worker grew up near Medellín, listening to his music while we painted apartments was the main factor in me choosing this city. Colombia, in my opinion, is the world capital of music, dance and therefore, life...la vida. In some places people still dance in the street. Local tiendas almost always have a few plastic tables and chairs out front for people to drink and bullshit at, a là Vietnam, and thurs/fri/sat nights they are all full and music resounds in the streets. Soccer match nights feature tense crowds amassed on sidewalks in front of bars with ridiculously large tv sets.
The Escobar days are history now, I had zero safety concerns and was only ever proferred narcotics in the tourist haven of Poblado. Of course there are some issues here, a woman explained to me that Colombia is a modern day medieval society, with a class of rich corrupt nobles and an underclass of extreme poor. I would occasionally have to step over ragged men sleeping sprawled on the sidewalk on my way to eat. Despite this poverty very few beg, the people are resilient and determined, many will purchase a large bag of individually wrapped candies to sell at street corners, amongst cars at red lights or leaning over the rail to your table while you are having lunch. At the intersection near my larger grocery a group of Venezuelan boys performed break dancing routines in the street for tips during red lights, one could bound right over a car! In previous times paramilitary groups "cleaned up" the streets, disappearing many of the "ones who got left behind" and a stone quarry at the edge of the city contains the largest mass grave in south america. The government at various times works hand in glove with these groups and existence of this grave is officially denied.
Colombia is one of the most biodiverse places there is. I took photos of the scorpion wasp (!) while on a trek through the forest. Our guide led us upstream of a small river, fording it 8 times up to our knees before reaching the waterfall after an hour. After swimming in the crisp mineral rich water I felt reborn. Here in Manizales I will visit the volcanic hot springs.
I know you enjoy discovering a place for yourself, so I will end it here and let you do so when you arrive. If that happens to be between January and April, your first lunch and round of Club Colombias will be on me...as I am already plotting my extended return. Anyone else reading this, also note one small detail. Colombia has no size 12 shoes, maximum 10 or 11 depending where you go, so pack wisely!
Tony
Sounds like a nice quiet place. I suspect that soon such spots will become rarer in some parts of the world.
When you mentioned the terrible beer in Busan, Korea, it took me back to my own 'beer experience' there. Back in 1979, the only two domestic beers were OB and Crown, and neither was worth writing home about, for sure. OB was actually rice beer back then, which explains a lot. It was even worse than the San Miguel I had in the Philippines. Beer just didn't seem to be an Asian thing, perhaps it still isn't. All the Koreans I see on TV drink soju when they go out for drinks..
Linh
Speaking of weed....that's the only "consumer product" here in Phoenix where you can still get a good deal. Picked up a 1/4 oz of "Blue Dream" (23% THC) the other day for $30....$35 with tax & tip. At age 68, alcohol does not sit too well with me anymore, but MJ still does the trick.
Any idea what black market marijuana costs where you are ?
ps...Kevin Durant makes his home debut for the Suns this Wednesday....courtside seats going for upwards of $5000. Some people still have money.
Bill
Yo Bill, you can get an excellent joint here for under two bucks, so come on over! You might have to change a bus here and there, but it's definitely worth it!--Linh
LoL...I've thought about it, Linh.
Nothin' like gambling over roundball... (s/o)
In BC, 1/2 oz Sto;lo Haze (organic outdoor)- 31% thc and $45 CAN.
I lost a $100 on March Madness.
lovely to read this
Loved the smile on the woman and was amazed by the physique of the bike riding woman. The children are so beautiful. Sounds like a lovely place, Linh. Thanks so much.
padded bra?
Hey man,
glad to hear you're well and comfy. Sounds like a relaxing place. Wishing I could up and visit. Cheers
Jay
Restful.
When I reflect on what the Collective Waste (CW) considers important all I can resolve is that the CW is nothing more than a death cult. Everything that the CW has touched has been abused first then counterfeited. First contact with other cultures: engage, disparage, attack, exploit...rape, pillage and plunder. The real scare is how many think that this way to engage with the world is the only way to... what? It ain't salvation.
Thanks Linh, about the beer quality, former European countries colonies have the best, for obvious reasons. But then I'm wondering, Congo must have excellent beer then. Will investigate.
Terrible thing to travel all that way only to be called a tourist.
Only if you are woke.