Conversations with a cockroach
I couldn’t sleep the other day. It was four in the morning already and no signs of sleepiness were showing up. That doesn’t mean I wasn’t tired. I was exhausted and my mind started thriving, like one does at four in the morning.
The reason for my insomnia? A dingy bar from the corner and its music. I could see the people from the balcony of the Airbnb I was staying in. These were my supposedly relaxing vacations. It was Saturday already and the same thing happened on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the bar, the music, the people. I started asking to myself “Don’t these people get tired of drinking and doing the same thing?” – don’t get me wrong, I love a good party, dancing, raving, all the good movements. But I couldn’t avoid getting a bit judgy, I guess part of my tiredness and frustration helped with that.
At least there was a beautiful full moon.
I entered my room and turned on the lamp to find my camera and capture the moon.
I also took some photos of the city landscape, it was already 4:30 am and the first glimpses of lights were starting to appear. While trying to focus on the moon and the clouds, I heard something and looked down to find the providence of the sound.
I saw a cockroach, dressed up as a police. She said hi to me removing her hat and the blue jacket. Then sat on the fence pole and opened a beer dose. I thought I was hallucinating, maybe the absence of sleep. But this was better entertainment than the drunks from the bar.
-“Long shift?” I asked.
-“Yup” She answered, took a sip, and continued – “I work as a security force for a rich family. I take care of their house and of them”-she was talkative and I was amazed by the insect.
-“Isn’t it beautiful?” She asked staring at all the buildings.
-“Ugh, I don’t know. I think I prefer the countryside”
-“What?! You crazy? Me and my family used to live in the rural area, it was awful, nothing to do, no opportunities”
I remained quiet, I was too tired to start a debate.
-“We learned to talk here, to work, to prosper, to invest. Take this Airbnb, we rent it with three others. I can work and provide for my family. The apartment is quite spacious also” I looked at the 15 sqm loft skeptic.
-“What about your family? Do they like it here as well?”
-“Of course! Junior wants to be a lawyer, you know how many firms are in the city? All with great salaries. And My husband loves all the bars and culinary offers from the city” I was amazed by the vocabulary of a cucaracha but of course, an insect can have a good, or a better, vocabulary than any human being.
-“But don’t you miss the tranquility of the countryside?”
-“Not really. There are only stones, trees, and mountains. What can you do with that? Also, in case of a heart attack, no chance of getting a doctor!” That’s thinking ahead, I thought. But I guess in our overworkers and overachievers era is a normal worry to have.
-“Yeah, I guess there are no skyscrapers, 24-hour stores, boutiques, and fusion restaurants. But do we really need that?”
-“Of course we do! What else would we do if not working, eating, partying, and having vacations?” She sighed and looked at me like I was an idiot. She took her police hat, nodded her head, and left.
The city lights were starting slowly to turn on. It was 6:00 am and we could see people through the windows, getting dressed and ready for a new day of work.
I went inside the room, the music was over and I could finally sleep.
My Week on Senses
What have I been up to this week? A description of what my senses have felt!
👂The official soundtrack from “Over the garden wall” by the Blasting Company. Just beautiful.
👀 Super interesting short documentary about the American artist Dana Schutz. How she perceives color. As a color blind myself, I found this extremely intriguing.
👅 I keep drinking the amazing “Pink Bourbon” from Finca el Ocaso. Best coffee ever
👐 My lettuce, basil and coriander completed their cycled and bloomed the other day. Time to plant some new seeds.
👃 A Feijoa. Never tried this fruit before. The internet says it taste like every fruit together. I say it taste like banana and pineapple together. Delicious!
Again, thank you so so much for reading and your support.
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Tina Ovalle 
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