the one’s who don’t belong
Ten Cuidado: Contrast your immediate reaction to the image from how you feel after reading the story.
Here’s a story of ‘new ‘guy’ anxiety, perception defiance.
That’s a couple of Gringos having fun in Colombia. I think, but don’t know, Colombianos poking fun at them. “Remember when you and your posse were making fun of the new dog from somewhere else?” Yup, turns out he was a cool dude. Took a while but we accepted him into our tribe.
“GringoLombia, puppy, we’re gringos in Colombia. But we travel to park on foot with a pink bag, not motor around desert on a dirt bike. Either way we’re ‘Gringos’ labelled by some as ‘The Ones That Don’t Belong.’” Oh, I get it, kinda like people think I’m not a ‘real dog’ just because I’m tiny. “It’s the stereotype thing we all fallen victim to that mindset. Happens in EEU as much as Colombia.”
Dad, here’s my plan. I’m going to be as sweet and adorable as possible. “A logical appeal puppy. Sometimes logical appeals work, but despite best efforts, other times they don’t. Just learn, accept that incident and don’t give up and BE LIKEABLE, charasmatic with the right amount of sassy.”
“Twink, you’re a natural. Sometimes your Dad, does things that make him unlikeable regardless of country of incident. Whenever I head down that bad path, give me your textbook ‘glare of disdain,’ I need your coaching.” No problemo Padre.
What the heck is this this? “Bunch of Colombians making fun of gringos just as much as they’re making fun of Colombians.”
Here’s a story of ‘be quick don’t hurry,’ actions defy perceptions.
Dad he loves futbol. Abandoned me to go to a game in Medellin and came back bruised and battered. How was the game, oh goodness you look like you’ve been to war, Did you get mugged by a Colombian? “No astonishingly enough, the Colombians came to my rescue.”
“I was confused at transfer station. Wasn’t well mapped, no need because locals have been doing it their whole lives. No G-maps to navigate the train station. Last train for the night it was chock-a-block. saw door closing, panic time. One foot made it the other, well let’s say I DIDN”T MIND THE GAP. Trip, fall, into the train momentarily unconscious, bruise on bum I could barely walk.” So how did you make it home? “Remember the ‘how to defy stereotype’ talk we had.”
Sure do, actions can defy stereotypes Dad.
“Well our Paisa (the ‘tribe’ of Medellin) exhibited textbook stereotype definance. Chica looked at me, she said, “You got phone, you got your wallet? We saw you fall, su cabeza banged against metal pole, you were unconscious for a bit.” The Paisa opened up space and dragged me to a previously occupied seat.“ Chica screams, “Train not leaving until we know gringo ok.” Dad these people are really nice, we’re gonna love it here.
“Tribe of Medellin known as ‘Paisa. Urban Dictionanry it. A top definition: ‘The nicest people in the world.” Dad, those websites loaded with a lotta opinion and conjecture, but sure looks that that got that definition right.
not mINDing the gap dispells perceptions
free your mind, free yourself
Here’s story of working off a bad day, finding a point of conversation entry give me five mintues.
What do you do if you had a tough day? Well solution to that problem is highly personal, highly situational with a wide variety of solutions. For me, it’s could be snuggle up with Dad, or could be go for a walk and meet up with my buddies at the Dog Park. Or honestly, just say ‘tomorrow is another day.’
We walk through my Parque to our favorite outdoor bar. I can run around, do some people watching, usually other dogs there. The ‘tables’ are tree stumps closely spaced. Place is very cosmopolitan. Can strike up a conversation with a stranger easily from anywhere in the world easily.
Our ‘next table neighbors’ a highly diverse bunch of ‘femininos joven’ Americanas. Amongst their cackling, I heard something like “look at “Grey-haired guy, tiny dog.” They start laughing. I couldn’t understand their gossip, but could sense it wasn’t flattering towards us. One thing to get the stick from Colombianos, but ‘friendly fire’ from Americanas, well that’s a gut punch.
“Twink their leader looks like that girl from ‘Mod Squad,’ body is WNBA-ready and the ‘fro’ takes her from 6’1” to 6’5” She’s holding court.”
“Man, I’m on the Metro saw some TODO PELIGRO going down. I’m in the train leaving the station and saw one dude smacking **** another dude wicked. You know how crowded it is at that station, a whole bunch looked on, did notihing to intervene, just watched the crime happen. There’s a term for that kind of behavior.” Suddenly, all the energy at that table willowed, they didn’t know the term she was searching for.
So proxima, couldn’t help but hear the story telling. “Twink I think we can help them, this is our point of entry.” We walk over, five feet, Dad hands me over to ‘Mod Squad’ and says “I believe you’re referring to the Genovese Effect.”
Milagro occurs.
Mod Squad face lights up and energy of the table restored. “That’s it! Thank you, come join us.” It was like a scene from ‘The Breakfast Club.’ Bunch of misfits unite. The stories, revelry lasted deep into night. At closing, we shared group hug, one said, “Small dog, grey-haried gringo, we wanted to hate you, now we love you.
We didn’t say it but we felt the same way.
‘bout to freak out, oh chihuahua
Here’s a story of having the right amount of paranoia, calming down under pressure.
We are feeling increasing more comfortable in our new environment, but never TOO comfortable, heads on a swivel. As our fellow foreign adventurer Ted Lasso said,
“Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse, if you’re too comfortable you’re not doing it right.”
Dad takes me to this back alley place in Medellin, Colombia. Can smell hot dogs, Dad, I don’t read so good, translado por favor? As he perched me on the counter for a rare ‘couldn’t be helped’ photo opp, he was doubling over in laughter. Dad translates, “Jajaja Twinkle, in Colombia, a Chihuahua is man’s best friend because it’s a bargain mini hot dog that makes for good eating.”
Whew, Twinkle isn’t comida.
Oh, Dad I nervosa, you just darme another test. Meanwhile the Colombianos waiting in line got the ‘broma’ they’re laughing harder than Dad. “Look at La Gente (the people) they got the joke, the context.”
“Our basic tenets which need to be upheld daily: Head on a swivel, hummingbird eyes, never too comfortable puppy.”
Got it, good plan.
super of powers of a free mind
This story is about the solution to a brain freeze, how serendipity may lurk around the corner.
Dad gets something he calls writer’s block. Just stares at that damn screen, fingers not tapping, and if they are it’s hitting this key called ‘backspace.’ This is inchorement jibberish!” He pounds his fist on the table points at the screen and says, “A total waste of time. Was in the zone an hour ago, poof, now wandering about in the wilderness of nothing.”
Meanwhile I’m getting anxious, just sitting around all day. So found a solution to both of our problems. Just sit right next to him, deploy the ‘puppy dog eyes,’ then silent stare. It’s a Jedi Mind Trick, he’s powerless to my theatrics. “You win again puppy, voy a paseo.” YES! It never fails.
RELAX!
Going for a walk does us both good. Fresh air, meeting some new friends, exercise, it’s el mago de tranquilo y cabeza claro (calm with a clear mind.) And I (and all dogs) create a commonality, a potential conversation starter. We get to practice our Spanish, learn from the gente, not some website. When my name is Twinkles why do Latinos call me Twinkle?
Well one afternoon on just another perfect day in Medellin we hike it down to the best Parque in town. Then got the ‘icing on top.’ Two Colomibanas look at me and say, “oh que linda” I looked up at Dad and said yes I am cute but my name isn’t Linda, it’s Twinkles. Colombianas with ear to ear grins, “Como se llame su perrita.”
Well of course Dad responds “Twinkles.” In that moment we realized no ‘kulz’ sound in Spanish. Uno momento de mago, we corrected ourselves, confidently Dad replied, “Llame ella es Twinkle.” Everybody gets it now. Chicas respond, “Oh como, brilla, brilla estellar paqueno.” Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
Dad, sometimes I don’t like my name, but guess it’s universally known.
power of the Paradox
Here’s a story of how to get attention and make them wonder, realizing dissent isn’t an option.
We’re watching Beverly Hillbillies. I love this show Dad. Are there really hillbillies in the lap of luxury? “Ah, that’s the power of the paradox, the context, the unexpected.”
Dad we’re kinda like Beverly Hillbillies Colombia-style. Fish out of water, the gray-haired gringo carries around his cute tiny dog in a pink bag through what many percieve to be a dangerous land. That gets your attention, makes you want to flip the pages.
We have to have a discussion though. The squirrel thing, really? Buddy up with the enemy.
You called me Benedickta Arnold. Jeez. “I had to take Power of the Paradox to the next level puppy.”
“Try this one on. The dynamic duo set sail for four days. Little did the Captain know Man coming with with SMALL DOG. Little did Man know Captain’s boat was inhabited by a SMALL SQUIRREL”
“Hijinks ensue …”
STOP IT. Me and Sr. Squirrel got along just fine. I’m a small dog, that was a really small squirrel. Little guy so cute really friendly. He didn’t pull the usual antics in which the squirrel so often exhibits towards canines.
We debunked the dog v. squirrel rivalry thing.
“Quite virtuous of you puppy, orgullosoti.”
Mystification of magic
“That’s amiga Andi. We’re at Selina. You view this as a hotel, I view it as a creative factory of fun. Oh it has some rooms too. The amenities aren’t two dimensional branded soap bars instead it’s the energy created by the coterie of like-minded guest. Have the right attitude, everybody’s welcome even tiny dogs or grey-haired guys. Andi taught us not just creativity but the exhileration of a fun environment. Dad, how did she do that? I like being around energetic creative people that can create a fun environment, thrive in a fun environment.o’s this good looking fella? Well he is a man of great simpicity. Mayor of Isla Hollandaisa the futhest east of the unspoiled archipego of 365 islands, in the Atlantic side of Panama. known as San Blas San Blas Well it used to be 365 islas, now we/re down to 362, Hmm … how did that happen? And this one is might be the next to get consumed.