So I got my ass up out of bed at 5 in the morning and proceeded to the Medellin airport to fly back to New York. Except for I only got so far as Miami. My travels seem to have a recurring theme: delays and cancels. And missed flights. And pretty much everything that could go wrong with international air travel. It's times like these where I have to keep my good humor and just laugh at the fact that I was so happy that today's school day (wednesday) was cancelled and I would only have missed one day, but now I'm going to miss ANOTHER day. Ah well.
So I'm in the Miami airport and I'm thinking "Shit, what the hell am I going to do in Miami today?" Then I remembered, a friend of mine, Andrew, has been asking me over and over to come visit him since he's moved here. And look at that, here I am, forced to stay the night. So I call him and he's at the Miami Boat Show doing his thing and says he'll pick me up later when he's off of work. So I go to the Starbuck's (another recurring theme, seeking comfort in brand name espresso) and sit, open my laptop, and settle in for the long wait. I'm used to traveling alone by now, and the waits never seem as long as they are.
All of the sudden, a tall man with protection glasses on comes over and, noticing the Obama/Biden campaign sticker on my laptop, practically screams: "Hey! I'm from Texas and I noticed your sticker. You must be politically active. Were you shocked at Steve Brown's win in Massachusetts?!" Everyone's looking at us in the cafe. I look up at him and, taking in the whole picture, practically burst out laughing. Not only is this man screaming in a Southern accent, not only did he mess up the new Senator of Massachusetts' name,.... in addition, he's excitedly waving his stumpy arm. While he goes on about how Martha Coakley is an idiot because she didn't know what sports team the Red Sox were (further confirming the stereotypes about Southerners) he's at the same time pointing his stump of an arm at me and putting it in the air to emphasize his points. I could barely talk politics because of the distraction, so I resorted to only smiling in an effort to conceal my laughter, and nodding at times where he seemed serious. He then asked me where I was from and I said, Massachusetts. His face lost expression and he picked up his things and trodded on. I feel like I'm back in New York already.
I look around and people are just smiling sympathetically at me as if to say: "We know how it feels to be pin-pointed by an insane, Republican Texan with a stump for an arm. We know."
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Luxe Colombia
Today's shoot went very smoothly. I was quiet most of the day only because everyone seemed to only want to speak Spanish and not spend so much energy on speaking in English. Which I was fine with but at times I felt lonely and isolated.
After a day of shooting, the ladies took me out to an Italian dinner where we shared a pizza. It cracked me up that they ate their pizza strictly with forks and knives while I picked mine up American-style. After finishing our dinner, (accompanied by 4 shots of Aguardiente, which tastes just like Araq, from the Middle East!) we proceeded to a friend of the producer's restaurant. The restaurant was extremely fancy, especially for Medellin, and was owned by an older man who appeared to be very wealthy. We sat around a table, drinking fancy martinis, conversing, and sharing laughs. Then it hit 12:00 p.m. and everyone decided it would be best to go home (especially since I have a to get up at 5 in the morning!) so we parted ways.
Everyone on this trip has been really kind and invested in showing me around whenever they ca in order to give me the "Colombian experience." But I never forgot that what I was experiencing was the "high-class" Colombian life. The one where everyone has a maid and a cook and a nice home and a well-paying job. There are many parts of Medellin I did not see where the people are not so well-off or luxurious. That might be considered by many the "true Colombian life".
Well, I should go to bed seeing as I have to get up in 4 hours...hopefully the servicio publico taxi does not leave without me if I wake up a bit late. Although the ladies did say they would adopt me if I missed my plane and said they almost wished I would miss my plane so they could show me around some more. If only a little thing called "school" didn't exist...I would spend my life traveling about with different people from different places.
I'll miss bonita Colombia!
After a day of shooting, the ladies took me out to an Italian dinner where we shared a pizza. It cracked me up that they ate their pizza strictly with forks and knives while I picked mine up American-style. After finishing our dinner, (accompanied by 4 shots of Aguardiente, which tastes just like Araq, from the Middle East!) we proceeded to a friend of the producer's restaurant. The restaurant was extremely fancy, especially for Medellin, and was owned by an older man who appeared to be very wealthy. We sat around a table, drinking fancy martinis, conversing, and sharing laughs. Then it hit 12:00 p.m. and everyone decided it would be best to go home (especially since I have a to get up at 5 in the morning!) so we parted ways.
Everyone on this trip has been really kind and invested in showing me around whenever they ca in order to give me the "Colombian experience." But I never forgot that what I was experiencing was the "high-class" Colombian life. The one where everyone has a maid and a cook and a nice home and a well-paying job. There are many parts of Medellin I did not see where the people are not so well-off or luxurious. That might be considered by many the "true Colombian life".
Well, I should go to bed seeing as I have to get up in 4 hours...hopefully the servicio publico taxi does not leave without me if I wake up a bit late. Although the ladies did say they would adopt me if I missed my plane and said they almost wished I would miss my plane so they could show me around some more. If only a little thing called "school" didn't exist...I would spend my life traveling about with different people from different places.
I'll miss bonita Colombia!
Monday, February 8, 2010
The Colombians sure love thongs...
So today I woke up a bit late (as in, I had set my clock an hour late for Colombia time) but I made good time anyway. I got to the location which was a beautiful home with courtyards and fountains and small ponds and breeze ways and everything you would think to find in a tropical home.
I only modeled lingerie today which went surprisingly well. At first the thought of my not-so-model-sized butt in a thong (which almost every set of lingerie included, I was delighted when I got to the boyshort/bikini style panties) was daunting, but once I put on the underwear and everyone seemed pretty accepting, I became comfortable with the idea that I was in a Hispanic country, and they were not as obsessed with weight as Manhattan was. But my efforts a week before this shoot paid off, especially with regards to my stomach which was hard as rock (100 something crunches a day, thank you).
The poses were sometimes awkward and required a lot of energy (twisting to get certain angles, constantly sucking in, etc.) but all in all, I think came out well. The sets were fun (me encircled by pillows laughing, me laying on the ground surrounded by leaves) and the people are really nice! Although sometimes I feel left out because I literally know NO Spanish (except for "el nina beben" which I learned from my short time on Rosetta Stone for Espanol.) they often briefly translated what they were saying and gave me an idea of what their subject of conversation was. Many of the set crew knew no English but there were a few I could converse with.
After a whole day of shooting, a few of the ladies who spoke the most English took me out to a fancy dinner (we laughed at how small the portions were in an effort to be "chic"). After they drove me around a bit through some interesting parts of Medellin. One place was Zona Rosa (Rose Zone) where all the nightclubs and bars/restaurants were concentrated. I could tell from the neon lighting and the many restaurants/bars with their outdoor terraces that it would be quite the place to party on the weekend. They confirmed this belief and told me all of the young people flocked there on the weekends but on Mondays, it was quite dead and most places shut down early.
Time to pass out. Hasta manana!
I only modeled lingerie today which went surprisingly well. At first the thought of my not-so-model-sized butt in a thong (which almost every set of lingerie included, I was delighted when I got to the boyshort/bikini style panties) was daunting, but once I put on the underwear and everyone seemed pretty accepting, I became comfortable with the idea that I was in a Hispanic country, and they were not as obsessed with weight as Manhattan was. But my efforts a week before this shoot paid off, especially with regards to my stomach which was hard as rock (100 something crunches a day, thank you).
The poses were sometimes awkward and required a lot of energy (twisting to get certain angles, constantly sucking in, etc.) but all in all, I think came out well. The sets were fun (me encircled by pillows laughing, me laying on the ground surrounded by leaves) and the people are really nice! Although sometimes I feel left out because I literally know NO Spanish (except for "el nina beben" which I learned from my short time on Rosetta Stone for Espanol.) they often briefly translated what they were saying and gave me an idea of what their subject of conversation was. Many of the set crew knew no English but there were a few I could converse with.
After a whole day of shooting, a few of the ladies who spoke the most English took me out to a fancy dinner (we laughed at how small the portions were in an effort to be "chic"). After they drove me around a bit through some interesting parts of Medellin. One place was Zona Rosa (Rose Zone) where all the nightclubs and bars/restaurants were concentrated. I could tell from the neon lighting and the many restaurants/bars with their outdoor terraces that it would be quite the place to party on the weekend. They confirmed this belief and told me all of the young people flocked there on the weekends but on Mondays, it was quite dead and most places shut down early.
Time to pass out. Hasta manana!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
No longer a war zone, now a tropical paradise.
The plane ride from Miami to Medellin seemed rather short, but I dozed off through most of it (until I dozed off too much and almost hit my head on the beverage cart as the flight attendants rolled by.) As we landed, the elderly Colombian lady sitting next to me crossed herself and whispered a prayer and I felt especially jaded and impious that I had thought nothing of landing safe and sound.
I stepped off the plane onto the tarmac and was instantly encased by warmth. I could not have been more relieved, as I thought it would be a bit chilly here. Such a nice break from the frigid, windy weather of the tunnel-like avenues/streets of Manhattan.
Colombia is rather different from what I had pictured. Because of Medellin being known for having been one of the most dangerous cities in the world in the 80s, I thought it would be poverty-stricken and destitute. However, I found the opposite. I have also been to Ecuador and Peru before, and considering Colombia is situated right above these two countries, I thought it would be the same. While they do share some similarities, Colombia is much more beautiful. It's more lush (I'm told by a native that this time of the year isn't as lush as it usually is!) and colorful. There are trees with bright colored flowers on them (for some reason, tree flowers are very unique to my senses. I guess I'm used to seeing flowers on the ground) and the landscape is amazing. Medellin is situated in a valley between the rolling, green Andes mountains.
I was picked up from the airport by a wife and husband who are producing the shoot. They were extremely friendly and hospitable and brought me to a Colombian restaurant that one of their friends owned. We ate empanadas and these little fried balls of potato with different spreads (the owner laughingly told me that "everything in my this country is fried!" Which I didn't find as funny as he did seeing as I have to model lingerie tomorrow.) So, I didn't over indulge myself in the tasty food but I did try a bit of everything.
I checked into the hotel a bit early because I haven't had a full night's rest in two days and I might just look like a zombie. Which won't look so great in a picture.
Now I must do homework. I am the ultimate in multi-tasking.
I stepped off the plane onto the tarmac and was instantly encased by warmth. I could not have been more relieved, as I thought it would be a bit chilly here. Such a nice break from the frigid, windy weather of the tunnel-like avenues/streets of Manhattan.
Colombia is rather different from what I had pictured. Because of Medellin being known for having been one of the most dangerous cities in the world in the 80s, I thought it would be poverty-stricken and destitute. However, I found the opposite. I have also been to Ecuador and Peru before, and considering Colombia is situated right above these two countries, I thought it would be the same. While they do share some similarities, Colombia is much more beautiful. It's more lush (I'm told by a native that this time of the year isn't as lush as it usually is!) and colorful. There are trees with bright colored flowers on them (for some reason, tree flowers are very unique to my senses. I guess I'm used to seeing flowers on the ground) and the landscape is amazing. Medellin is situated in a valley between the rolling, green Andes mountains.
I was picked up from the airport by a wife and husband who are producing the shoot. They were extremely friendly and hospitable and brought me to a Colombian restaurant that one of their friends owned. We ate empanadas and these little fried balls of potato with different spreads (the owner laughingly told me that "everything in my this country is fried!" Which I didn't find as funny as he did seeing as I have to model lingerie tomorrow.) So, I didn't over indulge myself in the tasty food but I did try a bit of everything.
I checked into the hotel a bit early because I haven't had a full night's rest in two days and I might just look like a zombie. Which won't look so great in a picture.
Now I must do homework. I am the ultimate in multi-tasking.
MIA
Bienvenido a Miamiiiii.
Miami International Airport and I, of course, found the Starbucks. Success. It's near painful sitting here at the gate for Medellin, and looking outside. The skies are clear and the wind is low and I overheard someone say it was in the 80s. And I'm stuck here.
I'm also getting A LOT of stares from all of the beach goers returning home due to the fact that I'm walking around "Miami" bundled in a scarf, boots, and a winter coat. Meanwhile, tan little girls dart around me in short shorts and sandals and old men shuffle by in hawaiian button-up shirts and loafers. As they stare I just want to scream "I'm from New York City ok?!? This IS an international airport."
As always, the person sitting next to me on the plane was interesting. She was definitely older but you could tell she did not want to be. Her crazy long fingernails with swirly designs and tight jumpsuit led me to this conclusion. Scary. And I had to listen to her talk to me and the other person sitting nearby about how "they better not have so and so store in Turks and Cacaos, otherwise she's going to go crazy spending and not be able to control herself." She also bragged at length about the size of her suitcase and how much clothing she brought, ending with the "joke": "People must think, 'that chick is high maintenance!'" As if.
Boarding in an hour.
Miami International Airport and I, of course, found the Starbucks. Success. It's near painful sitting here at the gate for Medellin, and looking outside. The skies are clear and the wind is low and I overheard someone say it was in the 80s. And I'm stuck here.
I'm also getting A LOT of stares from all of the beach goers returning home due to the fact that I'm walking around "Miami" bundled in a scarf, boots, and a winter coat. Meanwhile, tan little girls dart around me in short shorts and sandals and old men shuffle by in hawaiian button-up shirts and loafers. As they stare I just want to scream "I'm from New York City ok?!? This IS an international airport."
As always, the person sitting next to me on the plane was interesting. She was definitely older but you could tell she did not want to be. Her crazy long fingernails with swirly designs and tight jumpsuit led me to this conclusion. Scary. And I had to listen to her talk to me and the other person sitting nearby about how "they better not have so and so store in Turks and Cacaos, otherwise she's going to go crazy spending and not be able to control herself." She also bragged at length about the size of her suitcase and how much clothing she brought, ending with the "joke": "People must think, 'that chick is high maintenance!'" As if.
Boarding in an hour.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
South America-bound.
Hola!
I will soon be flying to Medellin, Colombia for a money job (no, not in the cocaine business. In the fashion business!) This will consequently enable me to pay for airfare this summer if I decide to go abroad. Bliss...
My mother had just finished lecturing me over vacation about how she could not foot the bill on my preconceived travel plans. I came back to the city with every intention of getting a job where I could save up enough money to travel. However, lacking work experience and jobs being so scarce anyway, I had been failing miserably. And then God sent a miracle.
I booked a random job shooting in Colombia in which I will work for two days (missing a couple days of school) and be paid enough money for my airfare! A rare occurrence, I must say. I would even go so far as to say it was...an omen!
And now, I'm sitting here in my room, across from my sleeping friend and thinking about how anxious I get when I think about traveling alone. Part of me loves being independent and self-driven. The other part of me is scared shit-less that I'll miss my flight, or mistake which terminal I should go to. I couldn't suffer the embarrassment of either situation.
My flight is at 6 a.m., which means I must leave here at 3 a.m. Being the lively, energetic young person I am, I will be staying up all night until I depart at 3. This might be hard.
Hasta la vista, babehhh!
I will soon be flying to Medellin, Colombia for a money job (no, not in the cocaine business. In the fashion business!) This will consequently enable me to pay for airfare this summer if I decide to go abroad. Bliss...
My mother had just finished lecturing me over vacation about how she could not foot the bill on my preconceived travel plans. I came back to the city with every intention of getting a job where I could save up enough money to travel. However, lacking work experience and jobs being so scarce anyway, I had been failing miserably. And then God sent a miracle.
I booked a random job shooting in Colombia in which I will work for two days (missing a couple days of school) and be paid enough money for my airfare! A rare occurrence, I must say. I would even go so far as to say it was...an omen!
And now, I'm sitting here in my room, across from my sleeping friend and thinking about how anxious I get when I think about traveling alone. Part of me loves being independent and self-driven. The other part of me is scared shit-less that I'll miss my flight, or mistake which terminal I should go to. I couldn't suffer the embarrassment of either situation.
My flight is at 6 a.m., which means I must leave here at 3 a.m. Being the lively, energetic young person I am, I will be staying up all night until I depart at 3. This might be hard.
Hasta la vista, babehhh!
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