What I've learned so far-

•people still use horses and donkeys for transportation

• Puerto Rican salsa is the only salsa I hear anywhere even though Cuba has the best...

•even though the bus/van thing to go to Cartagena looks nice and has comfy seats and AC... It still drives like a rickety 3-wheeled horse carriage on a bumpy dirt road (I almost got carsick)

•there's a different kind of race I see here that looks like a mix of black and brown/ Hispanic. But some people have really light skin but appear to have some kind of black/African genes. And others that look darker like Hispanic but have kind of kinky hair. Then of course there are just white people that could be mistaken for Americans... Interesting mix

•I think Im realizing my attachment to connection. I Feel weird to not constantly be messaging (when I cant get internet I mean, and with no phone). It's a good indication that I need to learn to be present, enjoy my surroundings and the people I'm with (even if thats just myself) instead of worrying about writing home about it.

• I know this might come as a shock to most but I think my patience is being exercised and Im doing well. Considering my plans just keep changing or never get made, and here in Barranquilla the rain makes "arroyos" which can flood the street, making transportation impossible. I think I'm getting better at just following and going with the flow.

•It feels so good to have more and more experiences to compare. Before, I felt like I only knew Costa Rica and there were things I liked and didn't like. I know it's early to compare since so far Colombia has been difficult to get situated BUT I am realizing that the company and hospitality is what makes such a difference. In Costa Rica I practically have a family, and they take care of me. I'm very lucky to have help here in Colombia but I still feel pretty alone... I'm anxious to see more of Colombia like Cartagena and Bogota (where I have more help and support) to make a better opinion.

• For some reason I get more respect when I say I'm Mexican. I guess it's probably the feeling of understanding, like if I'm Mexican then they feel like I understand them more because I know how Latin America is... I dunno but lately I find myself saying it more and more when they ask just to avoid that attention of being a "Gringa girl all alone... More vulnerable," etc.

• just like in Mexico, there are poor people walking all down the beach offering jewelry, ice cream, massages... I got pressured into a few tiny things (they'll be gifts) but I try telling them I really don't have much money and can't spend a lot, what I realize is that they're just want to TALK. Which is fine by me cause after a while I get kinda lonely. But I've gotten to talk to some of them for like half hour and they explain to me where they come from (most come from Colombian islands nearby), how they see the tourists, they always have an uncle or friend in USA that they are proud to mention. And they're always interested in hearing about my trip. Even when I try just tipping or giving them some change they don't take it, they just wanna talk, take a break from being rejected all day. One guy gave me just a bead he had from his jewelry stuff. "For good luck" he said :-), because I seemed Iike a good person. Thank God for speaking Spanish... I hope I pick up Portuguese good so I can get to know people and learn about the culture like I'm doing here.