I know this one’s long, but I promise its good!
Nearly a month ago I packed my bags and left for LA in hopes to get more work than I had been getting in Miami and what a whirlwind its been. Missing my family, lack of sleep, few castings…I had been sitting around waiting and restless for jobs, hoping things were going to start happening.
After two weeks and making the decision to go back home to the east coast a few things did happen. As they always do in this industry- Make plans for yourself= book a job and cancel your plans. I booked two days shooting for such a fun client, Miss Me jeans. The team was so easy, the clothes were things I’d die to have in my closet! On the last day of shooting, thinking I’d be finally flying home the next day, I received an email that I would be heading to Colombia for a job! I had never been to South America and although I had things to take care of back home, I knew this was such an awesome opportunity and I had never been so excited in my life!Thursday February 6:
It was 6am when I woke up excited about my trip, still awaiting all of my details on my job. I packed my bags, said farewell to the model apartment and headed to LAX. I was experiencing a wide range of emotions knowing I was going to a country where I had never been, not knowing where I was staying, what I was shooting, who was picking me up from the airport, and knowing I was only going to be in Colombia for one day and how sketchy that must look. I have never left the country for a job before and was told to make sure not tell customs that I was going for work. Being a terrible liar, I had to repeat to myself for the first six-hour flight that I am in the soap business with my mom, which is true, but the other half of the story- going for a friends surprise engagement was that part that threw me off. This “friend” of mine getting engaged, I only had her first name to give… and her boyfriend, whom supposedly invited me to this “surprise engagement” didn’t even have a name! Knowing this and knowing I like to be prepared for everything, I was terrified, I felt like I was doing something wrong. I mean I was! I was lying to get into another country!
Wilson and I on the way to Colombia! Origami Wilson is my travel buddy! DO NOT judge me!
Once arriving in Colombia and experiencing the cold sweats when going through customs, I couldn’t be more relieved leaving the airport. Soon as I hit fresh air a man looked at me and ask “Carrie?” with a spanish accent. I nodded stupidly and went to him. I know this wasn’t the safest and smartest decision I’ve made in my life as I should have clarified that he was in-fact my driver to make sure I wasn’t getting kidnapped, but things panned out in my favor and I am still alive! Amen! After a long drive, I finally arrived at the hotel around 1am, too exhausted from a full day of traveling yet too fired up to be working the next day, my body didn’t know whether to sleep or stay awake. I knew my call time was 5:40 am and after settling into my room and slipping into bed it was already 2! Yikes! I remember falling asleep reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in spanish. I might have been a little over excited to be speaking another language, but the pledge of allegiance I’ve had fluent since I was 16! Thank you Mr. McBride- the best spanish teacher I ever had who also taught me about boxing and how to punch with correct form! Not unnecessary information- FUN FACT!!!
Friday February 7
I wanted to punch my alarm in the face when I woke up. Thank god for my brain turning on body auto-pilot. I’m not sure how I made it downstairs and to the lobby on time. I waited 20 minutes for the driver to arrive. I was so pissed that I had been on time with the little sleep I was running on and the driver couldn’t do the same! I let the small annoyances go as we drove, staring out the window and taking in the country as much as I could, as we headed to what was supposed to be a spectacular location.
It’s 5:40am here! Where’s my ride?
I arrived at the “spectacular location” which turned out to be a studio, and was instantly put into hair and makeup, longing for coffee! They asked if I spoke spanish and although I do speak a little I replied that I didn’t (knowing it would take me a century to respond to any questions and knowing they spoke English anyway. After all I can understand it and read it better than I can put all those words in order!) After finishing hair and makeup and waiting for the photographer to arrive they slipped me into my first outfit. Immediately the vibe in the room changed. I felt the energy was off all day, but at first assumed it was me and my foggy brain due to a measly 3 hour nights sleep. I noticed that they began to speak about me, in spanish of course. Talk about a mood killer. I still kept things positive and hoped once the began shooting they’d put a smile on their faces and be maybe they’d start to be a little more enthusiastic. That was hopeful to say the least. After having my make up removed and re-applied darker, over a layer of greasy eye makeup remover they tried to test the light again. Yes, they put eye makeup remover on my skin! After placing me in front of the camera one more time, much darker than I was an hour prior, the photographer and who I’m assuming was the stylist approached me and told me I would be going home because I was too pale and too thin for the job. They told me they needed someone larger, like a Colombian girl to fill out the clothes as I could not sell them being at my weight. WHAT THE &%#@?! Thank goodness only english words filled my head at the time because there were numerous things I wanted to say. I let my head control my mouth and remained professional even though I wanted to tell them that they are idiots. I look exactly like my pale, thin photos in my book! Did they even look at it, or just draw names from a hat? I guess this is what they get for direct booking and not holding a casting, but they didn’t even give me a chance! I left to the hotel borderline in tears. I have seen this happen to girls and have filled in on jobs when the clients have sent a girl home. I NEVER thought this would happen to me! After taking a 2 hour nap in my room I received word that I would be flying out that afternoon. I headed to the airport with my tail between my legs, embarrassed that I was asked to leave. I realized then that I had been in Colombia for less than 12 hours. My story all of the sudden didn’t add up. It’s not like it did to begin with! I was thoroughly searched and questioned going through customs and security and again upon landing in Panama to get on my last flight to Orlando.
This is my sleepy, pale Latin makeup look!
Adios Colombia! See those teary bags?! I hate you!
Finally hitting US soil, I was like a horse out of the starting gate racing to customs, ready to just get in the car and go home. Little did I know it wasn’t going to be that easy. I was questioned, and fumbling my words because of the traumatic morning and crap story I was told to tell. I was let through with a stamp on my customs form and raced toward baggage to get my suitcase and leave. I couldn’t wait to see my boyfriends face and hug someone that was home for me. Heading through the last check point to hand over my form I was stopped and pulled aside. They placed my suitcases through a machine and little naive me thought I was good to go. NOPE! I was pulled aside and into a room. My bags were searched, they removed all of my belongings, checking the heals of my wedged shoes, opening every bag and zipper. I was asked why I had so many bags for being in Colombia for less than 12 hours, asked what I did, who I was visiting, the ususal… then they went into details. Thank god my mother and I just received our tax id number for our soap business, because they searched that and pulled it up too. The man wrote down everything I said and went to a computer to verify that it all added up. I was sweating profusely and so nervous that I continued to fumble my words making me look guiltier than ever. After about an hour of searching, questioning and researching I was let go. It was the most stressful and traumatic experience of my life! Needless to say I think I’ll be staying on US soil for a while, and I’m not sure I’ll ever be going back to Colombia unless it’s for at least a week at a time. After all of the sleepless nights and traveling and searching and questioning, I found out that the client isn’t even going to be paying me! I definitely lost a year off my life and gained 8 premature gray hairs for “an experience of a lifetime”. Como se dice “bullsh*t”?!