Reflections on the murder capital of the world.

There is a world that exists beyond the comfortable coffee shops and bars that dot the United States.  It is a world of chaos and unpredictability that so many people live in every day.  I am fortunate enough to see these moments as an outsider for a small amount of time.

I am currently sitting in the murder capital of the world, San Pedro, Honduras.  The cocaine industry that is so filled with violence surrounds me. Powered by the unstoppable American financial desires, this place is suffering in ways that I cannot even comprehend.  This place is an absolute shit-hole.  On my drive from the airport to the hotel was poverty in its most quintessential form.  Broken down homes, shacks made of corrugated aluminum, dogs, cats and people living here in some sort of incomparable insanity that exists only in central America.

I’m staying at one of the nicer places in town, guards at the entrance, a mini mart and a restaurant on location to protect pinche tourists from being exposed to the reality of this world.  I’m drinking Cuban rum and Honduran beer as I get prepared for dinner.

As I sit here and sip on my beer and write these words, I cannot feel anything but anger.  I am completely flustered with anyone complaining about any of their problems while there are people living in absolute poverty.  And the funny thing is, these people that have absolutely nothing, are probably happier than those who have everything.  In the immortal words of Notorious BIG, “Mo money, mo problems.”  I feel a deep sadness for anyone in this world who can go to sleep at night and not worry about being killed in their sleep and still complain about their problems.

So, in this moment, I ask all of you.  Take a look around you.  Are you safe?  Are you full of food?  Do you have someone that cares for you?

If you can answer yes to any of those questions, then you already have all that you need.

 

BE THANKFUL.