I packed my bags and headed South
I was lucky enough to end up in Colombia
Then, lucky enough to build a few hostels
And a couple of bars and restaurants
We hosted tens of thousands of people from all over the world
Some stayed for a really long time
I made great friends
Many who I consider family
It's community, and what I think is most important in this world
Our last spot was a bar and restaurant with rooms above
We had live music every night
One day, a local friend brought this band Monsieur Periné in for lunch
They were pretty well known in Colombia, but I had never heard of them
They were on a mission to film a video in Valle de Cocora, our main local tourist attraction and home to some of the tallest palm trees in the world
It's a truly magical place
I ended up hosting this group at another property and helping the videographer
After filming, they decided to do a free show at our bar
The place was jam packed
To song was "Mi Libertad" or "My Freedom"
I will always carry this song and experience in my heart
You cannot learn from a book, TV or Social Media what life will teach you
If I did not get up and go, none if this would have happened to me
If I listened to my friends and family I would have missed it all
An attempt to translate the chorus
"I am an adventurer
An early morning in solitude
I am a guitar that sings to the wind
A mountain range that reaches the sea
Fire runs through my veins
My eyes glow in the dark
And my hungry voice is fearless
To sing my freedom forever"
"Yo soy una aventurera
Una madrugada en soledad
Soy una guitarra que canta al viento
Una cordillera que llega al mar
Por mis venas corre fuego
Mis ojos brillan en la oscuridad
Y mi voz hambrienta no tiene miedo
De cantar por siempre mi libertad"
