Sometimes fact can be stranger than fiction.
In all my years as an American citizen, I don't recall ever meeting, or even seeing a politician. Not that I sought them out, mind you, but down in S. America in the rainforest, I came face to face with a presidential candidate. He was campaigning and enthusiastically approached us in the street. After he walked past, my husband told me his history.
Turns out he used to be a military general, and headed a coup when my husband was a child, kidnapping the then Ecuadorean President, Leon Febres Cordero. He negotiated never being prosecuted and eventually released the president unharmed, but not before publicly humiliating him by broadcasting the president crying like a baby. Can you imagine a U.S. president being kidnapped and the kidnapper later running for president?
All normal in the Southern Hemisphere.
I just started reading a book which I'm using as research for my own novel. It's titled, News of a Kidnapping by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a Nobel prize winning Colombian journalist. (Also author of Love in the Time of Cholera) I haven't gotten far but it's clear he's a talented writer. Bonus when my research is enjoyable! It documents the real-life accounts of 10 kidnapped people in Colombia in the days of Pablo Escobar. I'm hoping to get a feel of what the ordeal was like, since fortunately I've never been kidnapped myself.
Additional note- I am now the proud owner of an E-reader! Never thought I'd be in this place, buying geeky tech things and becoming proficient at using them. The journey wasn't easy- there was some kicking and screaming, but here I am. I guess it took putting my favorite things (books) on it and I was lured in.
It's kind of funny the strange things us writers have to research for the sake of art. hehehe.
ReplyDeleteI do like the sound of News of a Kidnapping, though. Sounds interesting.
It is strange isn't it. I'll post my thoughts on it when I finish. My husband warned the language and graphic violence can be strong- we'll see.
DeleteThere are those experiences in life that we hope not to know firsthand! My e-reader is actually my husband's but he very kindly gives up whenever I want it ;)
ReplyDeleteYeah! That's one I'll pass on! I didn't want to have to fight anyone in my family for the e-reader, so it's exclusively mine :) Don't worry, they're not deprived. My husband has a fancy phone and we have a computer plus I-pad.
DeleteWhat an interesting story of the presidential candidate you guys ran into. And no, I can't imagine the same thing happening in the States lol! Enjoy your research and your e-reader. I'm jealous. I told myself over a year ago I wouldn't buy an e-reader until I finished my wip...so, still reading e-books off my desk top which is a real pain.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I was doing too. I love it the e-reader by comparison.
DeleteYour story of South American politics is kinda crazy. And kinda scary really.
ReplyDeleteI love my ereader. Which is really just an app on my laptop. Someday I'll have a "real" one that is light and portable. It just adds a different way to read, which makes things easier.
That story is just the tip of the iceberg of the crazy stuff in politics!
DeleteI got the real deal exactly for the light and portable reason. It's awesome!
Holy buckets--normal??? Eek.
ReplyDeleteYay for the e-reader! I have not gone there yet. Right now I love paper books too much and spend too much time staring at a screen already. I'm sure one day I'll have to convert.
Normal is all relative right? People from there don't even blink an eye at this stuff.
DeleteThat's what I thought about the e-reader, but I got tied of lugging books around while driving the kids around and waiting, so I caved!
Definitely a twisted tale, Rose. I couldn't imagine that happening in the USA, eventhough some pretty twisted tales happen here also. ;)
ReplyDeleteYeah, maybe not that twisted, but sometimes I wonder how much goes on that they're just covering over really well. Hispanics tend to shamelessly admit to doing things, or lie badly. Maybe a little of both.
DeleteThis world of politics never seemed sane to me. Your post only confirms my suspicions! As to the eReader, I love mine and carry it with me everywhere. I find I'm reading a lot more these days with it at my side. I still love those paper books, but carrying twenty of those around isn't as handy as my slim, trim Kindle.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of the above!
DeleteSouth America seems like a very interesting place from all I hear of the comings and goings. It's funny what seems normal when that's what you're used to.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly it! Like someone who lives in a bad neighborhood and doesn't see the problem with it. It's "normal".
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