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The Americanization of Colombia

One late evening, hanging out at Parque Lleras in Medellin, I wanted something Colombian to eat, but found every thing except Colombian food. I ended up eating at a Taco Bell type joint very popular with young college Poblado types. I was amazed at how much, wealthy cachacos adore American culture and I would dare to call Poblado the Cancun of Mexico, except you wont find Mexicans in Cancun. Most Mexicans are very proud of their culture, including the very wealthy, you’ll find most in DF eating enchiladas and refried beans while listening to Alejandro Fernandez.
Listen, I also adore America culture, but I lived here over 40 years, I did not experience American culture by watching MTV in Colombia or in a once in a lifetime trip to Orlando. I experienced American culture by living it and enjoying it to the max, but I also love the crap outta everything that’s costeño.
My theory as to why cachacos are quicker to embrace other cultures, and no, this is not another shot at cachacos. The problem I think is that unlike costeños, cachacos did not grow up to the sound of vallenato or the rhythmic sound of a cumbia. I left Colombia when I was very young but I still get goose bumps when I hear the deep beat of a cumbia drum, that shit is in my veins and deep in my heart. Cachacos in Medellin grew up listing to some guy called Carlos Gardel an Argentinean and old Cuban music; they have nothing that really inspires them with great cachaco pride like the costeños and their cumbias, vallenatos, gaitas etc.
Is very strange but something as simple as music from your tierra really brings the pride outta most people. Hillbillies go nuts when they listen to Earl Haggard, English go insane when they hear Eleanor Rigby, the Italians go ape with Santa Lucia, and Jews go wild when they hear Fiddler on the roof, so my theory is not as stupid as it sounds.

By elmodefoque on Mar 10, 2006, 11:09 in Friendly Talkzone.

elmodefoque says on Mar 10, 2006, 11:21:

correction: i meant that, el poblado is the cancun of colombia.

I'll get there, when I get there!

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elmodefoque says on Mar 10, 2006, 11:51:

I wanted to add that black Americans fill their heart with pride at the sound of “I’m a soul man’ by the blues brothers and Puerto Ricans can not contain their pride with “el cantante’ by hector lavoe.
Shakira, Mana and Juanes are symbols of all that is gringo loving in Latin America. Their sound is the product of very heavy American influence or rock music. Though Rock Latino is no more than 10 years old, is the beginning of the end for the pride of some Latin countries. Future generations will no longer know from cumbias but will look at the sound of “laundry service” as their only music.
No one can stop America from taking over the world in every way, from what we wear to what we eat and listen to, and that’s not a bad thing, it could have been the Russians. Imagine watching your grandma waking around with combat boots or dancing to that shit where you fold your arm, squat and kick.

I'll get there, when I get there!

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toneloc24 says on Mar 10, 2006, 12:05:

Hey Elmo How much longer will you be trapped in Medellin? I may be headed down there soon. I'll e-mail you with details.

"PBH is dead!!!!"

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elmodefoque says on Mar 10, 2006, 12:09:

i escaped on sunday, now i'm back in nyc. i'm no longer invited to medellin, i guess i was complaining too much and they don't want my indian ass back there anymore.

I'll get there, when I get there!

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toneloc24 says on Mar 10, 2006, 14:32:

LOL What? You got tired of having being told to enter through the back for the kitchen? LOL!!!

You and the suegra? I wish you had hidden cam-ed the conversations. I could only imagine. Straight comedy I'm sure.

I'll be up in NYC next wkd. I'll give you a call.

"PBH is dead!!!!"

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Miguel says on Mar 10, 2006, 14:48:

Holy shit I gotta buy some Earl Haggard cd's; is he as good as Merle Haggard? Here in St. Louis, we go crazy hearing our homies Chuck Berry, Albert King, Fontella Bass, Michael McDonald, Miles Davis, and Nelly.

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el norteño says on Mar 10, 2006, 17:11:

Correct You're on to something Elmo.

I did find it annoying to be sitting in a bar in Parque Lleras listening to the Village People or Kiss blasting over the sound system. The weirdest moment was hearing Sinatra's I've got you under my skin playing on the pa at the Parque Berrio Metro Station.

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utopiacowboy says on Mar 10, 2006, 19:35:

Dios mio, Elmo, WTF are you doing in Poblado anyway? In all my time that I've spent in Medellin, I only spent a part of one afternoon there checking out El Tesoro mall. If that is anyone's impression of Medellin, all I can say is God help them.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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