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This is a Bag Juice. It taste like Koolaid. I copped it at a haberdashery that is right across the street from the home I will be residing in for the next month. It's like a bodega except built on the side of someone's crib. I've been eating good for the last three days. There's a cool lady here that prepares our breakfast and dinners every night. She really knows what she is doing in the kitchen. I'll post a collage of what I've eaten so far before the weekend is over.

My transition from fast paced New York City to a more calm island vibes is something I am still adjusting to. I've been getting a lot of long stares from locals. I am assuming it's because I'm the foreign one to them. I was told that would happen so I prepared myself for it and limited my eye contact (I love direct eye contact). To be completely honest I was afraid to leave the gated comfort of the house until I met someone on the block. This really sweet man that lives a few houses down lets us cyph on his patio when we want to get away from the crib. His patio is filled with vibrant green potted plants. I decided this area would be my focus of study when creating art for the next few days. We played some beats the other night and I went off with a freestyle while he was cooking inside. He was suprised I could freestyle rap even asked if I had that written or if it was straight from the dome. You already know I was humble but gassed!!! Especially since he mentioned my voice would sound hard on a reggae track if I collaborated a artist out here.

I visited the town center the other day. We took a dolla cab directly there. It felt just like a dolla cab in Queens. Fast, tightly compressed and the feeling of it not being legal. Turns out this cab probably wasn't even legal to begin with. The boys (cops) pulled up beside it as told the driver to drop us off as soon as we entered the shopping strip. I believe the ride was only JMD$100 from the crib to the center. I still need to learn the currency exchange. I would say it only took about 10 minutes to get there. The center was just like the Ave. if you know what a Ave. is you know what I am talking about. School kids everywhere chilling waiting for their friends. Women carrying shopping bags being hollered at by cab drivers reaching for their bags so that they can be given a ride. Men posted along the strip with their homies wearing clarks and white t shirts just like that Vybz Kartel track. Oh yeah and how can I forget the soldiers with their big ass guns and armor on chilling somewhere in the cut. Pretty similar to the environment in NYC just a bit more tropical.

Today I realized that I actually get to just relax and slow down, unwind and enjoy what I worked so hard to experience. The beauty of the island and the calm mountain breeze really allows for the mind to chill. I'm in Jamaica and it ain't Jamaica Ave. no more!! STAY TUNED FOR MORE UPDATES!

PURA VIDA MINGO 9:44AM 6/23/2018 SPANISH TOWN JAMAICA

#queens #newyork #jamaica #kingston #spanishtown #artist #travel #blog #mingo #culture

#gif #mingonyc #sky #travel #clouds #lifestyle #jamaica

Yerrr

Wassup! IS ANYONE STILL ON HERE?

Regardless if anyone still uses Tumblr religiously I am back and I am ready to stay committed to writing entries here just in case some next shit ever happens.

In celebration of SUMMER 2K18 I decided that this will be the main platform in which i will be documenting majority of my journey. I will be posting on my Instagram occasionally but in all honesty I truly decided to begin using my Tumblr again so that i can have the freedom to express myself in many more ways that IG was restricting me from.

Tomorrow morning I will be catching my flight to Kingston, Jamaica. I will be leaving the country for the first time without a close relative accompanying me and I don’t have family out there either. I will be leaving with my beloved best friend and residing at his family’s home. My purpose for this trip is to just experience. Gain knowledge on agriculture and culture along with learning new knowledge throughout the journey.

6 weeks away from my comfort of family, friends and my pets. oh yeah and the lit beach bon fire parties..

in exchange for

6 weeks of change. 6 weeks of learning to adapt to new surroundings. 6 weeks for new people. 6 weeks of experiences I worked hard to have. 6 weeks of Mind Expansion.

I am so ready for this trip! I kid you not I truly manifested this trip into reality when I told myself at the beginning of the year that I will by any means necessary travel this year and add another stamp to my Passport. I will love my best life especially since I’m just 21.

Crazy to think I truly proved myself! I am not fond of working a 9-5 or a 5 day a week job at some place that is not fulfilling my life purpose. When i tell you i grind for this trip, i truly fucking mean i grind. I didn't have to do anything crazy either. I mean besides actually believe in my self... I didn't even have to sell art work in the subway this time. I attracted the funding for my trip by simply doing the things i always loved to do and especially the things i already had well experience in that have proven success in the past. Whether I was selling my Vegan Empanadas that I spent time putting love and patience into, curating and hosting my own backyard events with my best friend, creating beautiful paintings I vended at events or customs for amazing clients that truly support and admire my work. I even picked up a Saturday ONLY position at a small coffee shop off Wall Street for 8 hrs of my life a week and I actually fuck with it! Only because I work with 2 people max. and I get to drink a fresh espresso shot in the a.m and learn cool latte art, most importantly practice skills in which will assist me when I have my own business.

What I did differently this time around was simple. I made more with less and attracted my money to me. I worked with it rather than against it. I learned a lot of money management skills from fellow humans that I know have their shit together financially and from a few books my lovely beautiful friends allowed me to borrow.

The Business of the 21st Century by Robert T. Kiosyaki

The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason

Check those books out if you're eager to learn some new things.

Yo anything can happen if you put your mind to it. Educate yourself and know yourself!

Anyways enough about me forcing people to pick up some damn books. Earlier today I was viewing the images from my CUBA 2K17 trip in June. I was noticing how sexy my 2 week tanned looked on my skin and already excited for the 6 weeks of fun and sun. My experience in Cuba last year will defiantly be different than Jamaica this year, even with the islands only being 237 miles apart. I can already imagine how the juicy mangoes of Jamaica will taste and the crystal blue waters of the island will flow. I envision the mountain skyline all around me as the sun rises and the birds hover by.

I’m getting sleepy and have to catch my flight in the a.m.

Stay Tuned for the beginning of my journey! Day 1 of 6 weeks in the island of Jamaica begins as soon as the Sun rises in New York and I hop on that Kingston bound Flight from JFK.

PURA VIDA MINGO 1:30AM 6/20/2018 NEW YORK CITY

#TRAVEL #JAMAICA #NYC #FLIGHT #JOURNEY #MINGONYC #MANIFEST #LOVE #GREATNESS

Mingo

Quick watercolor session on Jamaica Avenue, Queens, NY. Early Summer mornings I would travel out to the local shopping area and set up my art outside. I set up with the intention to attract people and allow them to give me their feedback. I enjoy seeing the reactions of many locals as they are amused by the art. This is not the first nor the last time I plan on showacasing my art outside. I feel like it's necessary for the neighborhood to know that culture is still alive within us youth and no matter how many changes occur in the neighborhood we will still keep the culture alive!These are images of two happy local supporters, they just so happen to work in the area and we're attracted by the aura my work presented. I appreciate the love of my supporters as it encourages me to continue creating especially knowing how much it impacts them.

https://thedjbluesteel.wixsite.com/theauthorbjstaples

Featured in B.J Staples book As Water Falls

This is a piece I did for Mr.Staples on Jamaica Ave, Queens, New York. I met him in the new Starbucks that recently opened up. I decided to sit there and spread out my watercolors as I began painting new pieces. I attracted many people that passed by, some even came in to tell me how much they enjoy my work. Mr.Staples complimented my work and went on to tell me about a book he would be publishing that weekend. I began illustrating the mermaid which he mentioned which also in fact was Yemaya the Santeria goddess, which just so happens to be incorporated in the Starbucks logo. I enjoy moments like these because they are genuine, especially in a age where everything is virtual, actually connecting with people in real life is appreciated!

Timberlands customized by @mingonyc for Snap Back Chris.

My older brother was my first customer ever and encouraged me to begin painting on footwear. I created these New York City inspired Timberland boots for him in fall 2015. Working on this material was really fun being that the boot has a smooth surface, I used acrylic and markers to complete the look. After a few years of wear and tear it seems to still look pretty good. It's developed a gritty style which resembles the NYC personality. I now use Angelus paint for custom footwear, it is a lot better quality and water resistant. You can order your own footwear to be done via email [email protected]