“Somehin ain’t right here, partner” I said… to myself. I’ve been talking in a Southern accent lately because it’s funny and I grew a mustache. Or maybe it’s the mustache that’s the funny part. There’s another possibility, which is that none of it is funny and I’m simply hurting for a way to pass the … Continue reading Jungle Stories: Emergency on Election Weekend
Tag: jason brendel
Stories From the Jungle: Flying Monkeys
A group of wild Howler Monkeys had been wreaking havoc around camp lately, waiting for any chance to steal some food. They’d sit atop the trees and scout for someone carrying a bucket towards a cage, pouncing on any moments of lost concentration. Their favorite spot was at the small birds’ cage, a collection of … Continue reading Stories From the Jungle: Flying Monkeys
Jungle Blog: Days 2-4
My dreams are caught in a dance with the rain. Last night I lived a thousand lives in the vines of my subconscious mind. Every time I woke I heard the barrage of water droplets descending on the roof like it was their intention to make it cave. I was afraid to go back to … Continue reading Jungle Blog: Days 2-4
Day 1 in the Jungle
A tree fell to start the day. That’s the easiest way to die out here. You could die a lot of ways out here but apparently that’s the most common. You can die a lot ways anywhere, really. I doubt it’s any safer in the city given all the cars and people. I doubt you … Continue reading Day 1 in the Jungle
Lessons Learned in Colombia
What an unexpected and wonderful journey it has been. I never thought I would do this to be honest. It wasn’t something I envisioned and planned for years, it wasn’t a grand dream of mine, it just kind of… happened. And that’s the ethos of Colombia; things just happen here. It’s at the crux of … Continue reading Lessons Learned in Colombia
Motorbikes in Salento
Motorbikes in Salento: Well, there’s no chance you could do this in America. First, we tried to rent mountain bikes, but there weren’t any left. Next, we thought about renting ATVs, but they were too expensive. So, we settled on motorbikes, which are basically just less obnoxious and less powerful motorcycles. I’ve never even been on … Continue reading Motorbikes in Salento
Salento, Colombia
Nestled amongst the Colombian mountains lies a little town stuck in time. The temperature doesn’t change and the landscape remains a intoxicating at every fresh glance. Plantain and coffee trees line the holiday green mountainside as the eucalyptus and palms tower high, watching over paradise. A sense of urgency is absent here because most have … Continue reading Salento, Colombia
Stories from Medellin, Colombia
Party bus in Medellin: I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect to have this much fun on a party bus. In the process of learning how to let go, it’s becoming easier to enjoy myself in environments which wouldn’t typically suit me. Would I rather have an intimate dinner and share conversation and laughs? Yes. But that … Continue reading Stories from Medellin, Colombia
Poem: Medellin
A gloomy Tuesday in Medellinhas the clouds crying on the mountainsthrough the cracks in the communa wallstears trickle informing puddles from a broken pastthe children splash aroundbut the dirty water still hits their skinI’ve never seen a cityhold so much beautyand carry so much harmit’s no wonder my heart sinksinto a sordid holeit had to … Continue reading Poem: Medellin
Colombia Adventures 2
Basketball in the communa: If there was a most wholesome award for the trip so far, this one would certainly take the honors. Jordan, Ben, and I got dropped off near Communa 13, a historic Colombian neighborhood with sprawling walls of graffiti, vibrant dancing, and majestic views. I wish I had more space in my bag … Continue reading Colombia Adventures 2