Cool As Ice & Nigga Flex

Day 30- Latin Pop Culture & the Ice man

Don't be alarmed about the title "Cool as Ice" is disturbing I know, but I refer to "Nigga Flex". This is actually the name of a popular Hip Hop artist in latin America no joke! You should check out his lastest hit...Entre Mis Brazos (In my Arms) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgJ7dMhYZ1A lol! This film clip also emphasises how full on the public displays of affection are here in Bolivia and probably south america. Its like an epidemic here! People all over the place are making out- obstructing pathways, stopping traffic, delaying life in general! The song is hilarious but catchy and gets stuck in your head! We were taking a Trufi ride into Quillacollo and this teenage guy got on and sat right at the back. He had his phone with him and despite being in a confined space proceded to share his playlist with us at great volume! Lucky he had good taste! So Entre Mis Brazos comes on and the three of us all kinda liked the sound of it. We made Letitia turn around and ask in spanish for the name of the song. We couldn't help but laugh when we heard he called himself Nigga Flex.

There is a latin american cultural phenomenon known as "machismo"- it is the term used to describe the propensity for men to have to prove their machoism. Consequently, there is lots of whistling from cars, fights and domestic violence. However, this coupled with music is often a hilarious combination because latin american men are also very sappy when it comes to describing their love. Some songs drip with sickingly sweet cliche lines about the stars in your eyes etc etc.  It is so far from their machismo! Enter...Nigga Flex- Into my Arms a typical example of these cultural characteristics clashy with vulgarity.

Today we were meant to go on a 12hr round trip "road trip" with Dr Romer. Unfortunately, last minute he pulled out. It was very sad! I had wanted to see some of the countryside and 12hrs of Dr Romer meant 12hrs of laughing and fun! At least we have our trip to Chapare to look forward to it.

That night we made the fateful decision to watch "Cool as Ice" another dvd we had bought from the dodgy pirating shop. It was hilarious! He takes himself was too seriously. At one point the character who plays his heart's desire is asleep. Ice hold ice between his fingertips and wakes her by touching it to her lips. Did I mention she had only met him once and he broke into her room. That aint cool its creepy!
Quote of the movie was when she was trying to get rid of him and said "I will see you later" the cool man Ice returned "You are seeing me now!" Brilliant! Ice is truly a poet! haha!
Despite the terrible acting and awful script we eventually became quite interested and were eager to see the story pan out (I might also mention we had no other alternatives lol). Just as it was reaching the climax dodgy pirate strikes again and the movie ends at just one hour. With over half an hour to go and with a dodgy ending left to see we were devastated! Cool as Ice is so bad that only a dodgy pirating place in Bolivia is likely to stock this! I will never see how the Ice man melts her heart! :(