Filed under: alcohol, colombia, flat, language, medellin, shower, spanish, supermarket
I have been in Colombia for three weeks.
Some time it has taken me to write this first entry. I hung about in a hostel for seventeen days, and felt somewhat reluctant to document those experiences as “Colombian” ones. Good alcohol, bad alcohol, and of course their related effects! But true, I made friends, some close friends. For that I am thankful.
I also made tentative steps into my new world, my Medellin. I became seasoned to local supermarkets, where ingredient lists are in a foreign tongue. (”Sin azucar” being “without sugar” – I gave that up over a month ago, hurrah!) The fruits and vegetables go on for miles, but god forbid, houmous is nowhere to be seen. Alas, I got by.
The pounding electronic music became too much, and I moved into a shiny flat. Hot water is missing; yes indeed, those petty shrieks are from my shivers in the shower. But not to fear, a double bed is mine! I live with Hugo, a Colombian student. We make glorious mistakes in language, and he willingly listens to my rambling. A wonder!
I also started my Spanish lessons, and my four daily hours seem to sail pass. I feel purposeful and challenged once again, though the greatest test is perhaps more from the 8:00am start than any grand, intellectual trial. My teacher is smart and super nice, and there is only one other student. Good stuff!
Right now, it’s time for tarea …
