#rhaitalks 17 — Living in a new country for 3 months *Part2
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D4*%, I was violently robbed by 3 armed men with a knife in my neck. People didn’t get when you said you were at risk during sunset. Human price is as cheap as the pennies you give to a homeless at a traffic light.
True story of a foreigner traveling in La Guajira, Colombia.
You’re in peace during your week off. Life seems easy and scary when you’re close to the sea. Two sides to the same coin. Applauding a sunset is how “missing home” tastes. Saudade. Sweet in the top of your tongue, bittersweet at the end. Culture is an armor we wear everywhere and I couldn’t even notice I was used to wearing one! A free spirit in a giant hammock with an ocean view. Now the weather is perfect for sunbathing at the Caribbean sea, very windy, the waves are so flat and kitesurfing should be your next extreme bet. You have no partner and no matter how people judge you, you just know how pretty you look with those freckles tanned. Ray, privilege is met when you realize you get things differently from in your homeland. “Enjoy the sunset then”.
The world is full of anger and fear today. Judging doesn’t work — why not try to help? Ukraine is screaming for global help! Bad memories about these xenophobia and sexist behaviors of thieves, policemen, bank employees, or whatever authorities exist cross my mind. You keep asking why bureaucracies s4ck when you are a solo immigrant. You lost capitalism garbage, some think. ID. iPhone. Card. Keys. Cash. Not a life. This robbery made you feel confused then.
Una guerra sin armas, eso es su interior
Un refugio sin calmas donde no hay dirección
Hoy le pide a algún dios, hoy le pide a algún dios
Pero de pronto nota que rezar ya olvidó*
I am having insomnia. I am a Taurus and forgetting to eat! I remember that jellyfish burnt me 6 days ago, and don’t know why I denied peeing myself. I ask myself what I did wrong as the strong woman I’ve been in Brazil. “Has it put you off Colombia at all?”, they ask. You just did nothing wrong, darling. Truth hurts, whatever the answer is when you get robbed with violence. “You are lucky to live this good life”. Judgments that are real and painful. “Why do you travel by yourself?” — People have no idea what you’ve been doing the past 10 years to live the good life. Choices made, partners dumped you ‘cause you are free. Two sides to the same coin, still.
Secas, frías, duras son sus emociones
Pero sus infiernos los vive en jardín de flores
Cuida mas de otros que a su propio ser
Porque erróneamente a definido el querer*
People ignore the wordings “Legal” “Immigrant” “MercoSur Work Visa” printed on your Brazilian passport. “What do you do for a living?”, they keep asking — a new debit card is given to you after a suspicious interrogatory by 3 women in 2 days in a row at the bank. Sorority? Women thought you’re playing a role. You should sue Bancolombia after you recover from this PTSD, you know? Men robbed you and you’re the one feeling illegal and a criminal, and that you belong nowhere. At least, good news, a new ID will take 1 week to get printed!
And luckily, you’re used to hide some cash in your traveler bag and could eat for 4 days using it. Cops were generally nice to you, even though the multiple sexist approaches came from the female cop. There is less sorority in Colombia than you thought. “Whom do you work for?”. Warm bodies with cold souls, sometimes. “Are you single?” People envy every day. Would you ask how I feel? Nope.
I am safe — back in Medallo now.
Updates as of 3/3. Solved 95% of the bureaucracies: new card, new mobile device, new keys, some cash undraw, lots of alcohol and coffee taken since Saturday.
*Mabiland: Afro-Colombian artist I met at Negrofest — thanks Felipe Cogollo.
Text by Rhaissa V.
33 yo. Solo Traveler. Brazilian. Keeps exchanging stuff every day. Works as a Sr. Product Manager | Tks Huge peers (aka Make something you love™) for emotionally supporting me as an immigrant this week, besides helping with paperwork and bureaucracies.
