Muddy streets, loud Colombian music blaring from boom boxes in the corner, men sitting outside their houses on chairs, half-clothed children headed to town, and vibrant colors is what I first saw in Palenque. I spent three days in Palenque during my mission trip to Colombia this summer. This town is occupied by descendents from Africa who originally came to Colombia as slaves. This was the first town freed from slavery in Colombia. The people here speak a mix of their African language and Spanish. This town is an incredible mix of different cultures. In this photo you can see a mix of United States culture by the words “hip hop” and “rap” written on the walls. The vibrant colors show the bright culture of Latin America mixed with the African culture. It is amazing to see how different cultures can blend to create a new identity like this small town in Colombia.