Let fear go and take in the moment

The dust is officially starting to settle. I still feel like a visitor, often. But I’m looking less and less like one (at least, I think).

Thanks to Jaclyn, the girl I met at an event a few weeks ago, I definitely have stepped out of my box. And I know that sounds crazy. I’ve been here for over a month, made a few friends, been places by myself and I’m just now stepping out of my box?

I suppose the reason for that is because she was the only person who knew less than I did about Colombia. When we’d met, she had only been here a few hours. Everyone else I have met is Colombian, dating a Colombian and/or lived here for years. It’s really easy to lean on them when we’re out. And I have often found myself second-guessing my abilities.

Jaclyn and I vibed on music and artistry. She is a singer/songwriter who had just come off a South/Central American tour. She recently started a new business. It was awesome to talk to a like mind.

And then she said liked to live like a local. Yea, I thought I did too. But not quite like her. All the places I wanted to visit would take a little planning and a little more money. Or maybe not.

She pulled aside a gentleman from the hostel and asked how we could go to the Salt Cathedral. Easy. $160.000 COP ($70 USD). The private van would come and pick you up and take you to the entrance of the cathedral.

Uh…nope! She asked him how he would get there. Take the Transmi (DART for my Dallasites) to the end of the rail. Grab another small bus and it takes you to the small town of Zipiquirá. It drops you off on the main street. Then ask the locals where the Cathedral is. Everyone will know.

All right, this will be an adventure, right? It was rather uneventful. Even in the rain, it was a beautiful, little place. The people were so helpful, friendly and kind. Oh, and it was $41.000 COP (less than $20 USD) for the roundtrip and entrance to the Cathedral. Girl is genius!

Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t have the courage to do that, for fear of what would happen if I got lost or couldn’t communicate what I needed. Despite all my friends and family telling me how brave I am, I’m kind of a wuss. But if she could do it with only basic Spanish skills, surely I could. The only thing holding me back is self-counsciousness and fear.

I’ve often been asked about my favorite place to visit. I’ve always said Valle de los Caidos (Valley of the Fallen) in Spain. It’s beautiful. It’s a church built in the shape of a cross inside of a mountain. Who thinks of that (besides the infamous dictator who purportedly commissioned Republican prisoners to build it)?

It’s definitely a place I felt God. Standing at the entrance with the church at my back, I faced the greenery, the sun shined and the breeze blew around me. I remember telling myself to take this moment in and enjoy being there. And I still remember closing my eyes and the breath I took. It is a memory that cannot be removed from my mind.

So, in keeping with my love for churches constructed in nontraditional places, I was excited about the Salt Cathedral. The church is built underground in the tunnels of a salt mine.

While I still claim Valle de los Caidos to be my favorite place, Catedral de Sal is a close second. The valley is a marvelous view of nature, but the cathedral is definitely my favorite place artistically. Beautiful colors and abstract art made it a wonderful place to visit. Brilliant blues, greens and pinks lit up the crosses meant to symbolize Christ in Stations of the Cross.

What did I learn from that week? I am far more capable than I ever thought. And so what if I sound like I’m not from here or if I say something wrong? I’m not from here.

I’m so grateful Jaclyn came along at the beginning of my stay here. A little fear is to be expected. But to be crippled by it? Now that’s just crazy.