un café por favor

When you first arrive in Colombia, exiting that airport door, 

you might be shocked at what you find, not what you thought before,

but as you’ve chosen this fascinating place to explore, 

just remember these key words, un café por favor.

"not what you thought before"

You arrive in your hotel room and collapse onto the floor,

how can you stay in this country? The difference is major.

You know little of the language, 2 sayings or 3 or 4,

just remember these key words, un café por favor.

"collapse onto the floor"

You drop your suitcase off, and head down to a store,

the locals seem to look at you in confusion and awe.

You need something to help you feel Colombia in your core,

and whisper to the barista, un café por favor.

"Colombia in your core"

That night you're one with the locals, out on the dance floor,

no longer feeling tired, or scared, or sore,

you feel adapted and alive, like you could stay here evermore,

lucky you remembered those key words, un café por favor.

"could stay here evermore"

-Jesse Crowe

This poem encompasses several emotions that are encountered when travelling to a new place, and uses coffee as a key to better understand the Colombian culture.

Common Emotions

Euphoria when you’re really excited about being in a new place

Disappointment when you realise that a place might be different to what you expected. This can be prevented by managing your expectations before you travel.

Hostility when you just want things to be like they are at home. This is the point where you can either accept the different culture, or oppose it.

Adaption when you begin acting like a local, allowing you to fit in and feel comfortable.

Assimilation when you truly understand and become part of the culture.

Hopefully this post helps you prepare for your travels mentally, be it to Colombia or elsewhere. Finally, looking back at the last paragraph of the poem, do you think it resembles adaption, assimilation, or euphoria……?