Cool Things. Volume #3

MEETING MY DOPPELGANGER (S)

Is it just me, or is if fun to say doppelganger?

🙂

Doppelganger is one of those words that can be said over and over and it just gets weirder and better. (God bless the Germans.) The word refers to someone who either looks like you or acts like you or both, and is usually referenced in a negative light. (For example: Your doppelganger just cruised through town last week and wreaked havoc.)

But it can also mean something positive and in my case, it was.

Last week in Chile, I met my very own literary doppelganger, or should I say triplegangers – a trio of female Chilean journalists and writers – while having breakfast at our hotel.

COOL WOMEN DOING COOL THINGS

These lovely ladies were in the town of La Serena promoting their new book, Mujeres Bacanas (translation for us gringos: Cool Women) and this exciting book was born out of their blog of the same name.

Mujeres Bacanas!

These gals were writing the blog for a year and a half when a publisher came knocking and convinced them to turn the idea into a book. The blog, and subsequent book, is a collection of essays about kick ass women from around the world, covering different eras and industries. And what a unique mix. From Chilean poet Gabriela Mistral, to blues singer Nina Simone, to activist/leader of Communist Party USA, Angela Davis, the book is filled with surprising moments and off the beaten path insight.

With the global surge in female empowerment – the Black Panther movie a fantastic example – Mujeres Bacanas is especially topical and apropos. Right now it’s only available in Spanish although they hope to have it translated into English soon.

Black Panther Movie – Girl Power!

DOPPELGANGERS PROVE WE AREN’T ALONE

Why does meeting these ladies make it to the cool list? 

For one, we connected over the love of writing. Two, we both have blogs that share what we believe to be cool with the world. I just started the Cool Things blog a few weeks ago and starting any new venture requires time and commitment and is always daunting. But seeing these ladies share their inspiration was a great reminder. Not everything we do will be embraced, at least not immediately, and that can’t ever stop us. The road less travelled is a mystery and we never know how it will turn out until we go down it.

The road less travelled…go for it!

For now, I love that I met my blog doppelgangers – two different hemispheres, two different takes on cool.

How awesome is that?