My Freedom — Hive

I packed my bags and headed South

I was lucky enough to end up in Colombia

Then, lucky enough to build a few hostels

And a couple of bars and restaurants

We hosted tens of thousands of people from all over the world

Some stayed for a really long time

I made great friends

Many who I consider family

It's community, and what I think is most important in this world

Our last spot was a bar and restaurant with rooms above

We had live music every night

One day, a local friend brought this band Monsieur Periné in for lunch

They were pretty well known in Colombia, but I had never heard of them

They were on a mission to film a video in Valle de Cocora, our main local tourist attraction and home to some of the tallest palm trees in the world

It's a truly magical place

I ended up hosting this group at another property and helping the videographer

After filming, they decided to do a free show at our bar

The place was jam packed

To song was "Mi Libertad" or "My Freedom"

I will always carry this song and experience in my heart

You cannot learn from a book, TV or Social Media what life will teach you

If I did not get up and go, none if this would have happened to me

If I listened to my friends and family I would have missed it all

An attempt to translate the chorus

"I am an adventurer
An early morning in solitude
I am a guitar that sings to the wind
A mountain range that reaches the sea
Fire runs through my veins
My eyes glow in the dark
And my hungry voice is fearless
To sing my freedom forever"

"Yo soy una aventurera
Una madrugada en soledad
Soy una guitarra que canta al viento
Una cordillera que llega al mar
Por mis venas corre fuego
Mis ojos brillan en la oscuridad
Y mi voz hambrienta no tiene miedo
De cantar por siempre mi libertad"