Just Resting

[Sweder]

Save me the Google search, dude.

Where are you? Country would be good but I'll settle for a continent as an opening gambit. Ta.

Come on, it wasn't that hard: http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=news+cafe+ocean+drive

Correct, but obselete. I'm now in a hotel deep in the barios of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. It's what I imagine Mexico City might have been in the 1960's. Cracked, semi-flooded roads, just wide enough for two cars, tanned, grubby kids in brightly coloured clothes, stray (but well-fed and remarkably sanguin) dogs. I love it. If only my job didn't entail dealing with customs, moving freight in and out of buildings singularly ill-designed for the purpose with rusted, broken equipment in oppressive heat I'd be laughing.

Speaking of laughter, most of the people here barely have a pot to piss in, yet they are amongst the warmest, friendliest people I've ever met. Their lives are snared in the tentacles of illogical latin beaurocracy - it took five hours for the venue to figure out if we had permission to move in this afternoon, by which time it was this evening. Yet they'd gladly help a fat loud Gringo, even after he'd mauled their native tongue asking for directions or trying to purchase food and drink.

Last night I planted myself at the bar of a lowly Cantina. Colombia had just kicked off against Salvador. Three beers and half a (delicious) pizza later the home team were 3-0 up, Falcao scoring one that my Gran would have finished.

   

Despite the hysterical commentary and the wild celebrations that greeted each goal, I sensed a feeling of disappointment in the room. After some gestures and more mangled Spanglish I discerned that Salvador are on a par with San Marino.
'Ah!' I exclaimed, holding up five fingers.
'Si', nodded my genial host, smiling as he polished a glass vigorously.
As victories goes this felt as hollow as any.