This trip is all about the girls. We haven’t had much time to explore or get to know Colombia. I suppose we could take trips around Neiva, but that messes with the routine. And a routine is very helpful for the girls. They like knowing what to expect (can’t really blame them).
In short, I really don’t feel like I’ve soaked myself in Colombian culture. This isn’t like my other Latin American experiences. Not that I expected that – just want to make that point as I write some observations (my exposure is limited to a tiny portion of Neiva and a bit of Bogota).
First, this is the cleanest Latin American country I’ve ever been to. In fact, I didn’t notice it at first because it’s on par with places in the US. There are trash cans everywhere. Sanitation workers clean streets and the plazas at night. Again, this might only be the tiny part of Colombia we’re in, but I still find it impressive.
Colombians are more reserved than I expected. They remind me of Chileans, warm and friendly yet not excessively expressive. Perhaps I can’t help but measure them against Brazilians (my 1st South American experience and country that I adore) who are sort of off the charts. Everyone loves the girls and seems pumped by what we’re doing. The girls at the supermercado are in love with us.
I’ve felt very safe my entire time here. Perhaps this is because Kelly waves and yells at all the policemen and they in turn blow her kisses, tussle her hair, and smile big (Kelly has that affect on everyone).
The fruit is incredible. I love the juice. The empanadas inspire cravings. The gazzillion different ways to cook chicken is so so. The fried plantains go with everything. The coffee sucks (it’s nescafe…like every other place in the Latin America).
The climate is awesome. Ren and I had no problems with the heat…it’s nice to luxuriate in it when thinking about the snow at home. What could be better than spending a few hours a day in a pool with your new daughters? Probably nothing.
1 reply on “Some thoughts and observations on Colombia”
Zach, my ‘son’! I feel like I’ve had more than three kids fasten on to L.A. countries! With your description of the empanadas (which Laura misses from Bra’tzi’), and the juices, and fruits, and clean streets…and children, each of my ‘loved ones’ experiences comes flooding back to me. God will grant you revisits while dreaming at night; and all these countries will give you the wisdom that His children cannot be catagorized into one mold. Blessing evermore.
PS. I noticed the cleanliness in your pics,- way different from the plaza’s and dirt ‘roads’& mud of ‘onduras when we visited L&A last year(while they were teaching)!