I had just finished a visa border run to Venezuela.
Driving back through Cucuta
Juan was my taxi driver from the Venezuelan border to the Cúcuta airport. Our total time spent together was about 25 minutes. But in that time he would remind me again of the spirit behind one of my favorite quotes from Nehru, “We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.”
I was trying to get out of Cúcuta and back to Medellín as fast as possible. Sitting in the back of the taxi I re-read the guidebook’s description of the city and was reminded why. “It is a hot, uninspiring city…unless you’re en route to or from Venezuela, there’s little reason to visit.” I was ready to zone out on the way to the airport but Juan was talking incessantly, adamant in showing off his city. “Cúcuta has really great clubs and good restaurants too!” His pride in his city was evident and his attitude was infectious. He asked me where I was headed. I told him back to Medellin and asked him if he had ever been. I noticed a sad look on his face when he answered no and that he wanted to travel one day, not only to Medellin but to many other countries including the US. “But it is difficult for Colombian’s to get visas to other countries outside of Latin America, especially yours…and besides it takes a lot of money.” He paused for a moment and then recovered quickly. “But in the meantime, I am happy here. Like I said before, there are really greats clubs and good restaurants too. For example, up on the right there…”
I looked around the rest of the way to the airport. On the surface, it was much like the countless other small towns that I stumble through on the way to somewhere brighter and better. But then I looked more closely and saw the families playing in their yards, the children laughing, the workers enjoying their lunches at small local restaurants. These were poor areas that we were driving though and the people did not have much. But like countless others who I have met on this journey with little, they were genuinely happy with what they had. The reason I love photography so much is because you can find beauty everywhere you look. And that day I was again reminded of the beauty in the laughter and smiles of everyday people.
When we arrived at the airport, Juan jumped out of the taxi, grabbed my bag and shook my hand wishing me safe travels. As I reached for my wallet, he told me no, that it was on him and to use it to return someday to visit the sites of Cucuta when I had more time. It was a really nice and generous gesture. This was almost a day’s wage that he was willing to forgo as a sign of good will to me. I gave him the fare with a large tip and insisted he take it, telling him to put it towards a trip to Medellin. As I turned to walk away, I yelled over my shoulder, “Besides, you have to come, they have really good clubs and great restaurants too!” I heard Juan laughing as he got back into his cab and drove back through the dusty roads of Cucuta.
I was trying to get out of Cúcuta and back to Medellín as fast as possible. Sitting in the back of the taxi I re-read the guidebook’s description of the city and was reminded why. “It is a hot, uninspiring city…unless you’re en route to or from Venezuela, there’s little reason to visit.” I was ready to zone out on the way to the airport but Juan was talking incessantly, adamant in showing off his city. “Cúcuta has really great clubs and good restaurants too!” His pride in his city was evident and his attitude was infectious. He asked me where I was headed. I told him back to Medellin and asked him if he had ever been. I noticed a sad look on his face when he answered no and that he wanted to travel one day, not only to Medellin but to many other countries including the US. “But it is difficult for Colombian’s to get visas to other countries outside of Latin America, especially yours…and besides it takes a lot of money.” He paused for a moment and then recovered quickly. “But in the meantime, I am happy here. Like I said before, there are really greats clubs and good restaurants too. For example, up on the right there…”
I looked around the rest of the way to the airport. On the surface, it was much like the countless other small towns that I stumble through on the way to somewhere brighter and better. But then I looked more closely and saw the families playing in their yards, the children laughing, the workers enjoying their lunches at small local restaurants. These were poor areas that we were driving though and the people did not have much. But like countless others who I have met on this journey with little, they were genuinely happy with what they had. The reason I love photography so much is because you can find beauty everywhere you look. And that day I was again reminded of the beauty in the laughter and smiles of everyday people.
When we arrived at the airport, Juan jumped out of the taxi, grabbed my bag and shook my hand wishing me safe travels. As I reached for my wallet, he told me no, that it was on him and to use it to return someday to visit the sites of Cucuta when I had more time. It was a really nice and generous gesture. This was almost a day’s wage that he was willing to forgo as a sign of good will to me. I gave him the fare with a large tip and insisted he take it, telling him to put it towards a trip to Medellin. As I turned to walk away, I yelled over my shoulder, “Besides, you have to come, they have really good clubs and great restaurants too!” I heard Juan laughing as he got back into his cab and drove back through the dusty roads of Cucuta.
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