Shorter Por Favor

On Friday and Saturday night, these are the best nights to go out in Colombia. Of course, this is a standard for many countries, especially USA. This country was a little different though because this city defined "true parties." People start at 12am and they go out until 5am.  

When it came to going out, I planned to go with the receptionist(super nice and perfect English), but she had to work late.  This was fine because my only intention was to go out and people watch. Of course, I had interest in seeing some hot Colombian man-I am a woman and I am allowed to look. 

The main party area was in El Poblado about five minutes walk from my hotel. From my room, I could hear the bass.  While I had no desire to go out, I came to Colombia and it was a must to go see the nightlife.  The best part for me is people watching therefore I decided to take a stroll through the park and party area. It's full of amazing restaurants, lounges, roofs, fast food, sushi-everything you name it.  

          

            Waiting for food 

I thought if I found a good place I could check it out for an hour or two. Although, I was completely enjoying myself on the street. The high numbers of people on the street and the open patios where you could watch people dance. There are some underground incredible salsa places, but I felt like staying in the area. Taxis at night-no bueno.


With my magnetic gravitation to luxury, I had to check out this fancy hotel I had heard about. When I got there it reminded me of one of my favorite NY restaurants, it was gorgeous. There was only one guy ahead of me who went up through the elevator. The party was happening on the rooftop-my favorite place to be.  When I got dressed, I actually put on makeup, did my hair, wore my black and flower jumper and gold wedges. I received a good amount of attention, which came unexpected. The women in Colombia are stunning and beautiful. 

I was feeling pretty good, but I did not fit the part for this bouncer at the door. 


"You're wearing pants."
"Yes, but this is a jumper with gold wedges."
"Still those are pants."
"Yes, but it's a nice jumper."


He was being quite respectful and didn't look me up and down with that horrible "rejected" look. He was just doing his job, which I understand.  I am standing a bit outside the door just glancing at a couple girls standing outside.
He points to this girl who is dressed in a black mini dress with everything exposed and 6 inch silver platforms.


"That's what you need to wear.  A short dress and platform shoes. The shorter the better."


While I mentioned these girls are beautiful, they don't always dress the part.  Many follow the expression, "the tighter, the better" and fortunately they can pull it off.  Their cleavage is exposed, their skirts are high, and platforms a must.  There is nothing I can really say to that other than, "Let it be."
This guy was serious about "looking a certain way." While I really wanted to go upstairs, I was not willing to look like that ever.  Not to mention that dress and those shoes are nowhere in my wardrobe. 


After this experience, it was disappointing, but I was not stuck on it. I walked around and talked with some locals, checked out a salsa place for 15 minutes and went home....

That party desire fuel is not running in Priscilla's engine. 

Market and Church

Without someone telling me, I stumbled upon one of the best markets. However, the sad part is that they were closing in 20 minutes. It was clearly an old Antique market full of souvenirs. Anything you wanted they had it and they were friendly rather than pushy and sarcastic. Initially, I met a woman selling t-shirts for $10, but she didn't have the color I wanted.
  

Next, I met a beautiful Colombian girl. The long hair, nice body, and pretty smile-yep that's her! She had the best display in her shop with all the colors shining bright in your face. Colombians sure do love colors! This shop had the Mayan belts, backpacks, jewelry, coin purses, all kind of rocks and jewels from the Mountains, instruments, artwork, etc. The tribal patterns looked similar to Guatemala, but the prices were a bit higher(different product quality).

  

She kept saying I was pretty and I said she was pretty and I started with my Colombian female interview.

"Why are Colombian girls so pretty?"

 

Answer: "We like to take care of ourselves, our hair, our make up, or nails. It's part of the culture for women."

"Do they work out?"

Answer:  Some do light running or walking or the gym. I run about once a week."

"Hmm ok I see.

Do you eat food?"

Answer: She is laughing.

"Of course. I eat a lot of food."

 

"Like what kinds of food?"

Answer: I don't eat fast food, but I eat everything else. 

Basically she was telling me she eats a lot of food. The conversation with me shaking my head and her laughing. Oh these Colombian girls.

I ended up buying a Dream catcher, a bracelet from her, and a couple key chains. She was pleased and asked me to come back tomorrow for lunch. That was my departure day Of Course.

         

             

                         

We had to part and I had to head to the 7pm service at San Antonio. I must have asked 5 people how to get there and finally I made it, but late. The pastor was speaking about having faith in ourselves and in our communities. How do we have this faith when things feel hopeless? We have to lift our hands up and praise the lord, praise he lord, praise the lord. Only he can restore our faith and make us feel peace and excitement. 

          

                    

Tourist Night

Being busy working, my schedule involves eating sleeping, and writing.  My social hour usually involves walking down the streets meeting new locals from dusk into the evening and connecting with people God wants me to meet. Staying at Roatan Hostel, which is a pretty small space. It was full of girls who were ready to mingle, dance, meet boys, have fun, act silly, and live life. In the beginning, a few of us did discuss renting a 4X4 and going around the island, but this didn't happen as we couldn't make our schedules work out.  When it came to Saturday, it was the last day for many who were continuing their journey.  Our hostel owner was so sweet organizing a bus for everyone to go together and she was also coming with and hanging out-this is not common for owners, but she was quite cool-seriously adored her. Everyone was going and everyone was asking if I was coming. I couldn't be the odd woman out, therefore I threw on an outfit, my gold platform shoes, makeup, scrunched up my hair, and that was it. My SF buddy and I were more interested in staying back and playing scrabble, but we decided to not be old, but live young and go out. Even if we just made a small appearance, that would definitely be okay.  

 Being one of the first ones ready(a rare occurrence), I greeted our driver, Juan Lewis, who came in all dressed up asking 50 questions. He spoke perfect English and as he grew up in the Bronx, New York. It was clear he was very proud of living there and had good knowledge of the cities and states. Now he is back in his hometown where he works as a tourist driver where he is happy with all the money he makes( go figure Roatan).

While I thought it was a girls night, one guy managed to sneak on and boy was he a 20 year old handful.
Unfortunately, the thing with hostels is they are really for young people. I'm not in my young 20s anymore rather I have grown out of that developmental stage- nothing bad about it, but would rather be around older intellectuals than those just experiencing life for the first time.

Anyways, I sat in front with the driver from Bronx New York and we were talking about going to a better place. The hostel owner chose a local place that has local people and local grinding aka dancing. El bosque was definitely on my mind and recommended by Juan Lewis. The plans were not changing. She insisted on her local place and we joked about dropping them off and going to El Bosque. I decided to just go with the flow and have some fun.

So we were driving over to the bar and Juan shouts, "Did you see that?" JL

"See what?"

"I just ran over a big boat."

Apparently I missed running over the gigantic snake. I questioned if he was sure and he responded that he knows his island. Only in Roatan- do you run over a boa and then go on just like nothing happened.
Well,we arrived at the bar and it was empty and uneventful, which triggered my "I told you so attitude." We all sat and we were talking about traveling and taking silly pictures.

          

           

I would occasionally go up to Juan where we would sit and share all of our favorite things about New York. He talked about his love for Indian girls and I talked about my love for My Moroccan. He told me to hold on to my love while I questioned the unpredictable bit. Juan had some real good life experience and knew much.  

Even though, there was a small crowd, there was not a lack of entertainment.  The young boy was quite an entertainer like myself and he gave me a break for the night. Between his dancing and his stupid questions and nonexistent logic, he pretty much was like that annoying child you love regardless.  

The dancing was seriously, as my friend Mat would say, out of control. The 20 year old was asking me to show him how to dance and I delegated that task to another person. He was the lost puppy dog of the night. When we were all dancing together, he would come over with a different guy and say, "He wants to dance with you Priscilla," and I would run away like a ten year old. It was okay dancing with the girls, but not interested in going near any man.  Usually I am embarrassed my stupid tourist dancing, but this time I just let go and let us have fun.  Juan was watching and I was smiling and calling him a voyeur. 

When the clock struck 12, it was time to go home before I turned into a pumpkin or in Island case-a coconut. One girl was leaving and I caught her while I was standing outside.  Being concerned about the price, we cut the guy down from $5 to $2.50 and off we went.  Apparently, everyone stayed out until 2 or 3.  Unfortunately, I didn't have anymore taste for the local Island flavor. I was more interested in sleep.
                

               Girls Just Want to Have Fun!

             

                 Our adorable Hostel Owner