[00:00:00] The PodBread Network is strictly for the small podcasts that are up and coming in the vast
[00:00:07] world of podcasting.
[00:00:10] PodBread is made up of many diverse podcasts.
[00:00:12] Coming together to achieve the same goal of being the best damn podcast network on the
[00:00:17] planet.
[00:00:19] Find out more at podbreed.com.
[00:00:30] It's not often that I get to experience five-star treatment at a five-star location for two-star
[00:00:50] prices.
[00:00:53] I got a chance to do that recently at a spa that looks like something from a movie.
[00:01:01] Recommended by a co-worker.
[00:01:02] The location was in Bogota, Colombia and the place was Valente de Spa.
[00:01:09] I am Dreas, the hostess of Dreas Point of View and I would love if you'd follow me on
[00:01:13] the socials.
[00:01:14] I'm at Dreas Point on Exxon Spill and at Dreas Point of View on Facebook, Pinterest,
[00:01:20] Threads and IG.
[00:01:22] Now before I went in, I wanted to make an appointment on WhatsApp.
[00:01:26] On WhatsApp, I need to review that.
[00:01:28] That is amazing especially if you're overseas.
[00:01:30] Very helpful.
[00:01:31] I needed to do that so they'll know what to expect.
[00:01:36] I'm not fluent in Spanish and I wanted them to know about me and I wanted to know what
[00:01:42] the costs would be up front and I wanted a French mani and pedi which is known as
[00:01:48] traditional over there.
[00:01:49] I told them what I would be wearing and I set up a time.
[00:01:53] I didn't want any problems.
[00:01:54] I'm not a fan of walk-ins especially somewhere I've never been especially since I don't
[00:01:58] speak the language.
[00:01:59] Google Translate is a lifesaver because that's how I communicated once I got there.
[00:02:04] Plus, you know, I was able to say well, so and so sent me.
[00:02:07] The place is in a fancy looking building and when I found the spa, I was taking
[00:02:13] it back.
[00:02:15] I wanted my mouth to drop open but I wanted to look like I've been somewhere.
[00:02:21] It looked like a place that celebrities go to.
[00:02:23] I mean, there was white marble everywhere, chandeliers on the ceiling, so much staff.
[00:02:30] That's what I'm not used to seeing.
[00:02:32] It looked overstaffed.
[00:02:33] There were so many people at the front desk, so many employees there.
[00:02:37] Pre-COVID days maybe the last time I saw that over here.
[00:02:41] I want to take a video of the place but it was packed and I didn't want to
[00:02:44] look like I said I didn't want to look like, wow, I've never been anywhere.
[00:02:48] Plus you got to figure I was the only one who looked like me over there so I already stood
[00:02:53] out enough.
[00:02:54] So the manicurist or aesthetician who served me, she didn't speak English so she had to
[00:03:00] use Google Translate as well.
[00:03:02] It's kind of funny.
[00:03:03] We couldn't really talk to each other.
[00:03:04] We knew bits and pieces of each other's language.
[00:03:06] So there was this boy who was with her talking to her and to me as well.
[00:03:12] He was trying to learn English and he was fascinated by anyone who speaks it.
[00:03:16] And I was asked if I mind taking a video with her and I obliged.
[00:03:21] I'm like, okay, I guess that's okay.
[00:03:24] Since she can't speak my language, I can't speak hers, we're going to put it on a video.
[00:03:29] Okay.
[00:03:30] All right.
[00:03:31] I guess.
[00:03:33] So the kid, he did pretty well.
[00:03:35] We both communicated with each other and I don't know, it was kind of fun.
[00:03:40] But getting back to the shop, all right, there was this guy who comes around.
[00:03:44] I call him a butler.
[00:03:46] He was dressed in a butler uniform, the white top, the black pants and black spit shine shoes
[00:03:55] with a towel or a linen over his arm asking if I cared for anything, you know, any coffee,
[00:04:01] any tea or any water or anything.
[00:04:04] And I got water.
[00:04:06] My coworker said I was boring.
[00:04:07] I said, well, I mean, I'm not a day drinker because it puts me to sleep and I'm trying
[00:04:10] to stay wide awake, especially in a place that I've never been to.
[00:04:14] So water was fine for me.
[00:04:16] So it was three levels.
[00:04:18] Okay.
[00:04:19] This place is three levels, very attractive men over there.
[00:04:21] So I got a good dose of eye candy.
[00:04:25] The women customers were wearing half pink satin robes.
[00:04:29] The robes didn't come all the way down.
[00:04:31] They were like knee length satin robes.
[00:04:35] And I asked why they were wearing those robes later and learned that they were the equivalent
[00:04:39] of wearing capes.
[00:04:40] Anyone who's getting their hair done, they're just like our capes in the States.
[00:04:44] Very fancy looking.
[00:04:45] I'm telling you.
[00:04:46] So as I was getting my nails done, that was on the third level.
[00:04:49] I watched the cooks in the kitchen.
[00:04:51] There was this glass and I was able to watch the cooks in the kitchen and I saw people
[00:04:55] sitting around them.
[00:04:56] The place looked expensive so I didn't want to eat there.
[00:04:58] I was getting my nails done there.
[00:05:00] So I'm like, okay, I'm done with that.
[00:05:02] Let me eat somewhere else.
[00:05:04] To my surprise, my treatment came to less than $25 for French mania and petty.
[00:05:12] And I seldom get my feet done.
[00:05:15] I don't know.
[00:05:16] I just do it myself.
[00:05:17] I just paint them.
[00:05:18] I'm not a big foot person.
[00:05:19] I don't really wear my feet out especially not so much this time of year but I'm like,
[00:05:24] why not if I'm going to Latin America?
[00:05:26] I may as well just go all out.
[00:05:28] But yeah, I didn't even get a French anything for that price.
[00:05:31] So I was more than happy to tip.
[00:05:34] I wonder in comparison to Quito what the price difference would be because I know a regular
[00:05:38] manicure with polish is $5 there.
[00:05:41] The next time I go, I'll definitely find out.
[00:05:43] I'll get them both and see what they charge there but yeah, it's a steal.
[00:05:47] Like I couldn't believe it.
[00:05:48] So if you're ever in Bogota, your money will definitely go far there.
[00:05:52] What I really liked about it too that no one was really staring at me.
[00:05:55] You know, being that I was the only black person there, I'm sure they looked at
[00:06:01] me but no one was staring at me.
[00:06:02] I didn't feel out of place if that makes sense.
[00:06:06] As opposed to if I were going somewhere over here with the only minority I probably would
[00:06:11] have.
[00:06:12] So that's one thing I like about Latin American countries.
[00:06:14] My positive news story of the day comes from Los Angeles.
[00:06:19] Miriam Hragot or Hairgo turned an abandoned church into a homeless shelter.
[00:06:25] At the age of 21, Miriam told the news media it's good to be the change you
[00:06:29] want to see.
[00:06:30] She launched the PAC project providing for the homeless and disadvantaged kids.
[00:06:36] You know, I love to hear stories like that especially from the youth.
[00:06:40] So feel free to leave a comment at Dreya's Point of View at yahoo.com and I also like
[00:06:44] to invite you to my free newsletter at Dreya's Point of View dot sub-stack dot com.
[00:06:50] I can use the subscribers.
[00:06:52] More importantly, I thank you for listening.