Truth About Crime

Lets get the facts out of the way so there is no confusion.  With crime and drug cartels, Medellin did play a big part in all of this. Per Wikitravel, Medellin was considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world for it’s size and highly disproportional homicide and kidnap rates. It was the home of Pablo Escobar and the so-called “Medellin Cartel” who took over the city at that time. Since his demise in the 1990s, the cartel was disbanded and the city changed tremendously. The city went from 6500 murders in 1990 to 2900 in 2009 to 184 in 2002 to 38 in 2013. (Wikitravel). The US did issue a travel warning in 2014 for narcotic trafficking. The paisas(locals) are proud of the cities improvements overtime, but there is still lots that needs to change.

When you look at the homicides going down significantly, this tells you that something is going right. The crime initiatives, the community efforts, the Mental health or jail systems-a city came together for increased safety in their home.  When you compare these homicides to the US, the results are an eye opener for the US Customs who label Medellin and cities of Colombia “dangerous.”

In New York in 2013, there were 333 homicides in comparison to Medellin at 38. In Los Angeles, there were 250 homicides in 2013. In Chicago, there were almost 2400 shooting = more homicides than New York City and Los Angeles (Huffington Post).

When it comes to a city like Medellin, there will probably be many people who don’t visit it because it’s history and current crime.  People needs to realize that their own major cities also have this terrible crime. Chicago is one of the most Gang infested cities with shootings on the news every other day.

When you see that a city used to have terrible crime, but it has significantly improved-it’s time to reevaluate.  If you are coming from New York or Chicago, it’s not much different when it comes to crime. The population is almost 4 million, which is not the same size as Chicago and New York City, but it’s in double digits-38. 

Doesn’t anyone get curious about this improvement and think maybe this city is now doing something good? Perhaps the leadership is different, perhaps the security has become better, perhaps tourism is on the rise, perhaps they care for the Paisas(locals) and want better safety. 

If you ever saw the nice area of this city, you would forget any crime exists. If you crossed over town, you may see a bit more action and real life.  Regardless, this city deserves a pat on the back for their developments within their communities. They should be Proud Paisas and love their people and city without getting discouraged by people labeling or stereotyping what they are.  The locals of Colombia and South America know it’s beautiful.  Do the Americans and Europeans also know this?

Panama Analysis

-Lots of banks and use of western union
-Arrogance in the air
-Good looking men and women, but arrogant
-Light yellow cabs
-Super Hot weather
-Value money
-Discriminatory against women and backpackers

It came to my attention in Panama that people have some serious attitudes. Perhaps they were carried over from San Jose where people had a particular dislike for Americans. In Panama, there is a general disregard for the woman, which creates competition.


The woman always has something to prove, especially in the work place. I saw this with a female cop, a male cop, and a tourist.  The tourist crossed the street illegally and it was a 20 minutes lecture from the female cop making ridiculous points clearly just to impress the male. I sat at the bus stop observing both of them.  The male cop was calm and the female cop demonstrated complete authority just to prove herself as a female. When speaking to locals, this was how the culture functioned. It was normal for the man to receive praise for nothing and the woman trying to catch up.  We are almost in 2015 and this is still present in a culture that people say is almost "American."


If the culture is so similar to "America" reminding me of Miami, then wouldn't there be kindness and appreciation? Of course when you are in hostel, there are people from all cultures and the staff have to be respectful. When you are out in the street, it feels like people hear you're from America and you get this, "Oh."


All the history with Panama Canal, there has been a semi positive relationship according to other Americans. This feeling of love and appreciation was just not floating through the air.  I felt animosity and some strange energy.  Some locals told me that this was not the case and some told me it was the case.


When I spoke with a woman in the grocery store while sitting in a one hour line. As I said, when these people shop, they shop like they're shopping for an army.


Anyways, while standing there I said under my breath, "This would never happen in America." Two checkout girls for a line through the store. The reality is that this could happen in America and I was just being an American snob.  This local lady said to me, " What is America like?" I've never been there, but I'm sure it's very different.  This honesty and kindness from a local made me feel horrible. We had a nice conversation and I asked her about this animosity and she said, "Oh yes" followed by a firm head nod. I wanted to explore this further with her to learn,  but she started talking about wanting to shop til she drops in the US.  This was a nice moment and Panama scored a point. Don't get me wrong because Panama scored many points with wonderful people from the church, hostel, Hard Rock, taxi drivers here and there, and good people around Panama.


It definitely was a mix between the good and the bad, which is the reality of culture. 
If I could end on this note, Panama keep dressing nice, keep taking care of your bodies, keep shopping and help the economy, be proud of your coffee/Boquete, and the Panama Canal. For those who are not fond of Americans or just don't like them, the attitude should be adjusted and also the respect should be better. 


Thanks.


              - From an American-
 

New Market

It's interesting to compare and contrast between the two markets. The old market is full of history, charm, and tourists strolling around buying souvenirs.  The new market is full of action- horses and carts, kids on motorbikes zooming through, fried foods, fruit carts, men selling watches.

When you come to the new market, you lose the charm and you hit reality.  It's the real life of these locals trying to make a living.  They are selling whatever they can to feed their children, to take the bus, and to buy things that they need. You can see this desperation in their eyes when they are selling.  It's not common for tourists to visit the new market because it's not a place for souvenirs and photographs-it's just the true life of people in Masaya.
 

The sales technique is different between the both where the old market is carefree with their selling. There are those vendors who are glued to your side and offering all sorts of discounts. But there are a majority that are just on their phones or sitting with their kids. They just give you a smile and let you know that they are there if you need them. You are able to have conversations with them and learn about their life. It's common to hear that it's a family business or many are just employees for owners. These employees do not have that urgency to sell because they get paid for their work.  Those working in the new market are working for themselves and their well being is on the line. 
Even though, each was composed of different dynamic qualities, both were fascinating for an outsider's eye.  The amount of vendors and spaces was overwhelming and it demonstrated that Morocco market maze. 

Where do they get all this stuff?
How much do they actually sell in a day?
Were they able to feed their families?

They are questions I did not get answered, but I always wonder about these people working in these markets. They work so hard getting everything there, setting it up, some not even having a car to transport it, working 12 to 15 hours a day-What is it all worth at the end of day? There needs are barely getting met and they are just surviving.   
 
All the food and clothes could go on for a good mile. All the kids playing underneath tables and running around barefoot. The manicure/pedicure spa(nice, clean with new floor) in the middle of this unclean market? A good $4 pedicure. What? They were both full of pleasant surprises and it was beautiful to witness the authentic local culture.  

            

Blind as a Raccoon

When I visited the Atitlan Nature Reserve, I saw birds, monkeys, butterflies, and a raccoon. He was stuck in a cage with no other friends inside.  He was all alone without any touch or affection with another human being.  

I sat and watched him for sometime and thought, "What would it be like?" 

What would it be like to be this little guy stuck on a branch in a cage with NO vision. There was a reason for him being in that cage-he was blind and instead of moving around his cage he just went back and forth on the branch. He looked so confused as if he never knew he was blind. 

When I went to see the butterflies and I came back, he was still doing the same thing. Have you ever looked at a human being or animal and thought, "What would that be like?" 

These moments of realization and appreciation make us human.  They make us think about someone or something other than ourselves. It's just an animal, but that could be you. It could be any of us living with no sight. The Inability to see colors, nature, smiles on people's faces, the changing seasons, family and friends. The list goes on and on for what we would miss, but the appreciation for having 2 eyes that can see the world. Amen for that:) 

Aging With Reality

We are guilty of feeding into those self-fulfilling prophecies with age. By this age you should have kids and be married. By this age a man should be a CEO, not an office worker. When we listen to society instead of own self, we cannot be surprised when things don't work out or just seem to work against us.   

The easiest way to avoid this American cultural age obsession is to leave the US.  When you are outside of it, you think about it much, much less. I found myself getting so caught up in turning "30" and how I have not reached all my goals yet.  Is the world going to end when I turn 30 and is God going to punish me for not accomplishing everything I desired? NO. When you leave and spend time in other countries- the magazines, media, friend, family and strangers comments are out of your face. You can accept and learn about who you are through introspection and cultural exchange with others rather than focusing on a number and where you should be placed.  

When one is in the US, there is a scale of numbers and an amount of accomplishments you should have met.  Any illness, bad circumstance, or personal difficulty does not matter rather you should be successful if you are 35, 40, 30, 45 etc. and living in American culture. Of course this age phenomenon is present in many cultures, but in the Mayan culture it does not seem to be present.  

In Mayan culture some of the older women work even harder than the younger. You can witness real beauty with women weaving always blankets, sweaters, clothing, table clothes, accessories, and everything. They are older women and they are beautiful with each wrinkle representing strength, courage, and hard work.  They are not working in Guatemala City for a big office rather they are engaging in their craft and that's beautiful no matter what the age.
While having a family is important and age does seem to correlate with reproducing.  There is still a large number of older numbers who reproduce later in their life. While having a child younger is encouraged, it is not a judgement based off one's age.   

What's the secret? 

There is no secret-it's wide out in the open. Enrich your life with laughter, love, sincere moments, living in your purpose, giving to others, not searching for excess, and you'll never age a day in your life.