Arrived
The journey started yesterday. I woke up on Tuesday at 6:30 made sure I had everything, spent some time wondering why my pack was so heavy, moving the last things out of my room and into the garage, made coffee, chain-smoked and generally concentrated on not freaking out while I waited for my friends to pick me up and take me to the airport. You see, i didn't mention this but there is a lot riding on this trip for me. Personally and professionally.
Professionally I've dabbled in many fields, worked many jobs, all in the same vicinity of each other, which is film production and photography. Ive worked as a production assistant on productions big and small. I've worked as a camera assistant mostly for small commercials and some music videos, a photo assistant on anything from head shots to international advertising campaigns, a DIT, client driver etc etc. Although doing all these things gave me a wealth of knowledge in those fields, they weren't really doing it for me. I became discouraged and then just tried to focus on making money, after all a lot of people seem to be perfectly happy doing a job for the money and then going home. the problem is that made me a bit miserable.I was becoming someone that I didn't like. It was time to make a change. I started making mixed medium art pieces and shooting more photography of my own. I found that it made me happy. So I determined that i needed to find a way to become good enough to make a living out of it. I needed to produce more images and art pieces but I lacked inspiration. That is where this trip comes in. What better way to get inspired than to rip yourself away from everything that is familiar and comfortable, and flood yourself with new experiences and cultures, right? Well I sure damn hope so.
Now we are here, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Sitting in a tiny room at a hostel, on a bed that is a bit too small and a window that faces the street through which you can hear all the traffic chugging along through a cold and wet day. Struggling to keep my eyes open at1:30 pm because I couldn't sleep on my 3 hour flight to Dallas or the 10 hour flight here, mostly because being tall presents a challenge on airplanes, specially in the "god I wish i could get comfortable" department. Even though this place has its short comings i have to say that the people that work here have been incredibly welcoming. From the receptionist/manager giving pointers and sympathizing with my travel woes to the lovely lady who made me eggs and coffee. they have all made me feel like I'm supposed to be here. So after being overcharged for the cab ride from the airport, learning that exchange rates kinda suck and realizing that the power outlets are not what I'm used to (that last one should have been avoided after repeatedly being asked by a dear friend if i was sure i didn't need an adapter) arriving here has been very, very nice.
The nerves? the nerves are still there. Swimming around with the doubts and insecurities in my head. Bouncing around sometimes loud enough for me to have a tensing reaction capable of breaking a pencil or bitting my tongue, but at least I'm here now, i took the first big step and thats a huge victory for me, so i think ill head back home tomorrow.
haha
just kidding......?