Colombia!

Finally I've remembered to add more pictures from Colombia!
I've made two photo albums, which are linked

here

and

here

Please feel free to browse a small selection of my fabulous month in Colombia! I took so many pictures of fruit and flowers and people and different things that make Colombia so unique.

My experience was so wonderful mainly because the people that I met were so incredibly warm and welcoming. They didn't make fun of my Spanish, but overly complimented it and would encourage me to try again if they didn't understand me. Julian's friends all told me how great of a friend he has been to them, even after not seeing each other for almost 5 years.

We met cousin after cousin after cousin. I couldn't believe that his family was so big, until I learned that each parent had 7 siblings. 14 aunts and uncles make a lot of babies! There were even new cousins who Julian hadn't met before.

The food was very different-- lots of breads and dishes made from corn, lots of meat, and rice every day. Every day we would have an oatmeal drink called Avena (which I'm learning to make) and fresh fruit juices that have crippled me for life from drinking any kind of concentrated juice.

We were pampered. Julian's mom was so happy to have him home and to finally meet me, that we were a little spoiled... I have to say that I didn't mind at all, although I did want to help more. I was shooed out of the kitchen if I was trying to do dishes, so I learned to be sneaky to help as much as I was allowed.

I went on walks with Julian's mom, where we talked about Julian, God, love, family, and differences between Colombia and the US. It was such a blessing to have quality time alone with my Machita, who has such a sweet and fun disposition.

Julian's dad liked having me there too-- we ate lots of cookies together. He was very interested in sharing Colombian desserts with me (in part because he enjoys the desserts so much and it gave him an excuse to eat them). It was fun to hang out with him, and especially to see him interact with our nephew, Cristian, who he was always poking and teasing.

Cristian was especially kind to me and spoke very slowly, with lots of gestures, until I finally understood. We did tend to break things together... While we were playing with a volleyball we broke a lamp, and while we were at a friend's house we jumped on a trampoline and it ripped down the center. But other than that we had a lot of fun together.

Monica came home during the last few days I was there, which was a nice surprise because originally she was going to stay in the US longer, and I wouldn't see her because she was going to leave the US while I was in Greece. Although she was really busy with school, we still got a chance to go out in the city together and go to a salsa festival.

The only troublesome part of Colombia was my lack of independence. Because my Spanish isn't fluent, it was a bad idea to go off on my own, in case someone wanted to take advantage of my not understanding something. Towards the end, I was allowed to go around the neighborhood on my own, although I never stayed out for very long.

Those are just a few of the many experiences I had in Colombia. Next time we go, I look forward to having better Spanish (I hope!!) and being able to travel a bit so I can see more of the country. The people living in the large valley between the Andes mountains (where Cali and several other smaller cities are located) are incredibly warm and open to guests, and so friendly.