What does one do when their flight to Nicaragua gets cancelled days before departure, and there are no flights under $800 to get there? They pivot! Well, I pivoted, and bought a one way ticket to Colombia instead. I didn’t plan to come here at all, in fact I should be in Brazil right now but that flight was cancelled weeks ago. Damnit, Covid. Alas, here I am, in Rincon del Mar, having an absolute gem of a time on this playa that oozes cool.
Since Brazil was off the table, my mission was to go to Nicaragua to complete Central America - I’ve travelled all countries there albeit Nica, and I was excited to get there! I had to change my plans just this last week, so randomly I flew to Cartagena, booked an Airbnb, and had a car bring me to Rincon del Mar for the week. Other than here, and a couple of nights in Cartagena, I’ve no clue where I’m going. Maybe still Nicaragua, maybe other cities in Colombia…we shall see!
My plane neighbor was from Miami, has been here many times and had a list of things to do in Cartagena. That’s great, because I did ZERO research before I arrived. So little research, that when I was lying in bed the first night I thought, Shit! Should I be worried about Malaria? The Google machine said no, so I guess I’m good.
My driver, Guillermo, picked me up without a hiccup, and drove me the 2.5+ hours to Rincon del Mar (you must roll your r’s), in the Department of Sucre. He took great care of me on the ride: knew when to roll up money to give the polizia, rolled up my window when passing a possible thief in traffic, sang his favorite songs on the radio, and between his zero English and my broken Spanish, we got along swimmingly.
He dropped me at the local Dive Shop to meet the Italian, Giovanni, who would be checking me in to my Airbnb. They carried my things to my amazing little apartment above a restaurant, about 30 steps from the Caribbean Sea. Seriously the greatest little spot to call ‘home’ this week
I could write about the experiences I’ve had since I boarded my plane, but you don’t have that kind of time! However, I will share some ways this trip has been one of growth already. One where I have been forced to look inside, a trip that is clearly shedding light on my strengths and weaknesses. I have been astutely aware of those around me and of my ways of being, more so than any other trip. I’m in Colombia, by myself, so I guess I have to be, right?!
I have been working for months on balance in my life. I'm learning to keep my heart and mind open while still protecting them along with my body, and this has been a great place to practice.
I love running around in a bikini 24/7, and this spot is conducive for just that. It may not seem the wisest thing to do when traveling alone, but it’s hotter than hell, shoes are never worn, and everything here is set on the beach. That said, some men love to share how they feel vocally, or with the straight up approach method, so I get to be choosy, and wise, and ignore or respond exactly how I feel is best. FYI, I mostly ignore;)
Trust is an issue I think many of us have a hard time with because as we go through life, we inevitably get hurt. We put our trust in people thinking they’re being genuine in telling us how they feel, but they mislead us. We trust that someone we love won’t hurt us, or lie to us, or leave us, but they do. And yet we get to continue on our paths while continuing to trust, despite being let down previously.
I trusted Guillermo would drive me safely for 3 hours to the beach. I mean, he could have been a hitman for the cartel for all I know, but I read energy, he felt a good soul, he was hired by my Airbnb hosts, and I felt protected and safe. And, I made it!
I met a man on the beach the first night I was here. He was blonde/blue from Zimbabwe, and was so excited to hear another English speaking person, he beelined toward me. I was a sight for sore eyes for him because no one, I mean NO ONE speaks English here, which for me is great to practice my Spanish. But something was off, and I had my guard up with him.
Again last night, another beach spot, another man, from Medellin asking lots of question, one of which it seems everyone has asked me: “Where are you staying?” Now if I were in Paris, or New York, or Miami I would quickly answer them truthfully, but not here. I’m in a house on the beach right smack in the center of everything, which could easily get broken into if someone felt they wanted to. So for me to give up where this girl from America traveling alone is staying, would not be the safest choice to share with all who ask.
To validate my point: the server from the beach bar I was at yesterday just popped by my place yelling "Sara!" up to my balcony. He came to invite me dancing tonight. How the hell did he remember my name, or where I was staying? Before you get freaked out I've been told 1000 times over that everyone here knows everyone, and it's the safest pueblo in Columbia. That said, he's the young, tall and handsome server at Mar Blanco, so if I go missing, please find him and rescue me!
The open vibe here, mixed with what I do and how I present myself, is where I get to learn the balance of how to be open, engaged and interested, as well as wise, savvy and in protection mode. I get to connect with the people I meet here, yet not to be too open and trusting so quickly. I’m seeing that this very idea will come in handy in other areas of life. Hello, relationships!!
Another life lesson I’m gaining perspective on is when to try new things, and when to stick to what I know. A couple of doors down from me is La Negrita. A restaurant with an attached hostel, serving delicious seafood and cheap beers. It’s family run, and the past 3 days I’ve been there whether for food and beer, or for a smile and chat with the family or other locals. My broken Spanish makes them laugh, which is even more fun.
This evening, I grabbed a beer and with my feet in the ocean I was deciding whether I should go back to La Negrita for another fabulous seafood meal, or find something new tonight. And then I questioned my reasons for deciding. Am I being comfortable by going back to La Negrita? Am I playing it safe by not heading in to the unknown to try something new tonight?
The answer? Hell no! When trying new things and we find something we love, why not stick with it. By way of commitment, we can explore new options and learn new ways to enjoy what we thought we already knew. There is nothing wrong with sticking to something we know to be good, and reliable, and gives us pleasure. When we do so, we learn, we find new things to try, and new ways to discover and appreciate them.
And yes, by all means, explore different things! In fact, every single day it’s good to try something new, and even better, something that scares the shit out of us. I mean I’m here, in a new country, traveling solo, seeing new things, taking new walks, meeting new people, and there may have been a moment or two I’ve done something here that’s scared me.
Example? Today: I had a massage on my balcony and the masseuse asked me to get butt-ass naked and hop on the table. Wearing underwear was not naked enough for her. Bare butt in the sunshine for all below to see if they looked up (namely worried about the old boys playing dominoes next door). And then, I had to flip! Aye, mami! And yesterday, walking the beach at sunset this couple stopped me. They offered me a shot of the liquor they were drinking called Aguadiente. First thoughts: Covid? Roofied? Thieves? I was aware of my fears right then, so I faced them and let my guard down, had the shot/s, enjoyed a few laughs and talks about Texas in different languages, and was on my merry way. The only bad part of that encounter was the taste of the liquor.
So here lies the lesson of balancing commitment and adventure. To know when to try or embark on something unfamiliar, or to look for ways to see something familiar in a new light, in turn learning and growing from that which we already know to be good. To ditch what we are familiar with for the sake of seeing what else is out there is a great way to gain new and different life experiences. However, by doing so we may miss out on authentic connections, and sadly, not truly experience someone or something deeper than what we're willing to go the distance for.
I'll leave you with that as I hop out of this hammock and head down the beach to La Negrita for the fresh seafood dinner they'll prepare for me, which I know will be fantastic. I’ll chat with them in Spanish, meet some other locals and perhaps travelers, or maybe not. And to challenge my comfort zone again tonight? I’m going to walk the beach and head to wherever the music takes me. Safely, wisely, and with a healthy blend of precaution and curiosity, like a good little solo traveller should.
Hasta luego!
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