No subject, no pictures, just rambling (lucky I type fast)

Don´t have too much to say, so I will do a bit of rambling. I will be doing a hiking trip in a couple of days, so will be ¨öut of pocket¨ (an old work term, never to be used again, I promise) for a week or so, so don´t worry. Anyway, I recently got an email about how a simple bus ride becomes an adventure for me, so I figured I could elaborate on a few other daily tasks, that when observed from the right perspective, are an adventure.

Donkey and horse

The other day, I was waiting for a friend when I heard a donkey. Upon further investigation, I noticed the donkey dragging the guy holding it over to a horse, swiftly mountint it, lasting about 20 seconds, and swiftly returning to a state where one needs to examine if it is a he or a she, if you know what I mean. In the meantime, the phrase should should be ¨hung like a donkey¨ as the event was quite impressive. I later learned that donkey horse mixes are excellent work animals, and that the animal was purposely being bred, not just a moment of passion in which the animal overcame the strength of man.

Private dance lessons

On Thursday night, I went out with my friends to my local bar. I really like the sound of that. The bar, I had been at every day I was in Chiquinquira, and knew the staff. That doesn´t happen in the States, so I feel like I am allowed to call it my local bar. In any case, after that, I went dancing and realized I have no rhythmn.

I think I will cut this story short though, as I realize it is not interesting, and while I learned a little bit, I much more enjoyed watching dancing than actually attempting to dance myself. I did enjoy being everyone´s project, and also realized that night that I really need to improve my spanish. I am getting better, but the little things needed for deeper conversation are definitely missing.

Kids delay my departure

The following morning, Friday the 29th, I was going to catch a bus earlier, but decided to take a small detour to go to the square one more time. It turns out that there was a procession of kindergartners and such from all the private schools in the city having a parade. This was cute in that they were wearing uniforms from World cup teams, with S. Korea and Brazil being especially adorable Posted is a pic of them dressed as the US team.

This ended up delaying me 4 hours as I followed the parade all the way through town, and to a colliseum where they all proceeded to stop playing music, and do dance routines. Some interesting observtions. When the traffic in town was stopped for probably close to an hour, I did not see one person upset. All seemed to be smiling. Also, while watching the kids, I was approached by Ramiro, the Mayor of Otanche´s, wife, and a friend of mine from the bar. This happens a lot, where the kids and wife practically live in a larger city in order to get a better education. This is the case with my friend Mario in Otanche, whose wife lives in Bogota, and with several minors I spoke to, who work and return to Bogota when they can to visit their children. One specifically told me he moved his family so that his kids could one day maybe go to a University in the U.S.

And here I am trying to figure out how to go to School in Columbia.

Another bus story

Yesterday, I took a bus from Chiquinquira to Bucaramanga. The bus ride was beautiful, as the country side here has few comparisons. In any case, I had occasionally shared a piece of gum, a wafer, or a tic tac with the driver, some passengers, and the drivers helper, so after we got the station, I asked them if it was worth staying here, or if I should move on. In any case, after they clocked out, they invited me out and I got a room at their hotel (it had cable, very evil, and cost about $6) We went out, I had my first shoe cleaning of my life since my shoes were all muddy, bought some Columbian music, was informed I should pay about $10 less than I was quoted from my bus to Sta. Marta, and once again spoke of mining, life, etc... We also had several beers (except for the driver, who did not drink as they have a blow test before driving every morning) After several drinks, I inquired about whether their constant whistling and hissing at women had was successful. After a few funny answers, I realized it only ever worked with friends. I also took it upon myself to go interview a couple of local ladies who agreed with me, and said that simply introducting yourself and saying hello was better, and that the whistling occasionally worked with women of less moral fortitude.
The picture is of me eating with the bus driver and ticket collector, as well as with the guy who cleaned my shoes and the waitress of the restaurant.



Bread and a smile

Today, after watching a couple of movies, doing a few push-ups, and taking a shower; I walked around Bucaramanga. I ate all sorts of street food which included bread filled with exotic fruits, juices, an apple (yes, I am very healthy) Tamales, and sugar coated nuts. The whole city has many parks, and today it was one big market of food and flowers and whatever. In any case, I bought some rolls at a bakery and liked the smile of one of the girls. After walking about for a while, I tried to trace my way back as to not get lost, and figured I would buy some more rolls for the road. When I returned, the smiling girl with red hair was not there, but when I got the counter, nobody would serve me as they all shouted around until she came from around the corner to serve me, with everyone in giggles. I proceeded to finish my book in that bakery, drinking very fruit juices, always served to me directly with a smile. Lame, I know.

These little stories may not seem like much, but I am trying to enjoy the little things. I haven´t heard a word of english in the past week, unless it was somebody asking me in an accent, ¨hello¨ or me cussing because I don´t know the word I am looking for. Please email me if you can. I enjoy getting them.