It’s hard to believe we’ve been in Cali for almost 1 month! It’s been a very busy past 2 weeks with setting up our classrooms, getting our curriculum organized, and navigating staff meetings in Spanish. However, we are really starting to feel settled here and have internet so it will be much easier to update this! Here are a few first thoughts:
Cali is beautiful.
The weather really is perfect. In the afternoon, when we open up windows, we get a refreshing breeze through our 10th floor apartment. It’s chilly in the morning but never cold. It’s warm in the afternoon but never hot. Climatic perfection.
Fresh juice is an addiction.
When you go to the store, there are quite the variety of juice pitchers for good reason. This morning I bought oranges and made fresh, pulpy orange juice. It was to die for! But Lulada is my favorite juice drink so far. It’s an amazing blend of sweet and sour with chunks of juicy fruit floating inside. Yum!
Colombia takes security seriously.
Our school has really emphasized safety which is understandable. You can only take a "safe" cab, you shouldn't walk around with flashy jewelry or a lot of cash, and don't take out money in ATMs other than at the bank. Also, it is very common to see armed guards around the city. There are guards everywhere, but they’re so friendly!
Example 1: One of the other new teachers here has an e-cigarette that he was using as we were eating fresh pan de queso (cheesy bread) on the sidewalk. An armed guard came up to him inquiring about the strange contraption in his hand. Well, it didn’t take much effort for the armed guard to ever so gently fling his shot gun on to his back, take a seat next to us, and try the e-cigarette for himself. Soon after, with a deep smile, he said “bueno” and was eager to ask more questions about it. He chatted with us for a bit before returning to his post.
Example 2: Our apartment complex has a porterro (guard) at the front of it 24/7. His job is to open and close the gate when people are coming and going, call “safe” taxis for those who need them, and keep the apartment complex secure. But our porterros have been more than simply guards. Each time we go down there they greet us with a smile and a two minute speech all in Spanish (I would be lying if I said I didn’t have a little moment of panic every time I have to come and go because I know someone is going to talk to me in Spanish and I’m going to have the response of a kindergartener).
I think these examples are fantastic reflections of who Colombians are. Although a large part of the world believes Colombia is an unstable, unsafe place, it's really a place of compassionate and enthusiastic people bursting for a chance to connect with whomever they meet.
Shake those hips, not those arms.
Last week the new teachers ventured out on our first salsa adventure at Tin Tin Deo. It was a very unintimidating venue and a lot of fun for newbies to salsa. Although dancing was fun, we were more entertained by watching the Calenos (people from Cali are called Calenos and Calenas) dance. We were mesmerized by the way they can move! And salsa in Cali is known for it's intense hip movement (Aaron and I really need to take the American hip-hop out of our dance moves). Apparently it’s very common to hire a salsa teacher to come to your house and teach lessons, so hopefully we’ll be doing that soon. :)
Nirvana
Yesterday the Asopadres (Parent’s Association) of Colegio Bolivar took us on a special trip to Nirvana Nature Reserve. It was about an hour bus ride out of the city up in the mountains. Upon arrival, we drank tinto (black coffee) to warm up from the crisp, chilly mountain air. Then, we went for a hike that led us to a stunning overlook of the valley below. The land used to be a coffee farm but was turned into a reserve in the 90s. Our eyes danced while taking in all of the beautiful flora and fauna. The flowers, birds, and butterflies were so vibrant compared to those in Minnesota, and Aaron was having a lot of fun with the camera. Our hike ended with an amazing lunch of trout fresh from the mountain stream around the reserve. It was a relaxing way to spend a Saturday.
School update to come soon!
Cali is beautiful.
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| Lulada--my new favorite drink! |
Fresh juice is an addiction.
When you go to the store, there are quite the variety of juice pitchers for good reason. This morning I bought oranges and made fresh, pulpy orange juice. It was to die for! But Lulada is my favorite juice drink so far. It’s an amazing blend of sweet and sour with chunks of juicy fruit floating inside. Yum!
Colombia takes security seriously.
Our school has really emphasized safety which is understandable. You can only take a "safe" cab, you shouldn't walk around with flashy jewelry or a lot of cash, and don't take out money in ATMs other than at the bank. Also, it is very common to see armed guards around the city. There are guards everywhere, but they’re so friendly!
Example 1: One of the other new teachers here has an e-cigarette that he was using as we were eating fresh pan de queso (cheesy bread) on the sidewalk. An armed guard came up to him inquiring about the strange contraption in his hand. Well, it didn’t take much effort for the armed guard to ever so gently fling his shot gun on to his back, take a seat next to us, and try the e-cigarette for himself. Soon after, with a deep smile, he said “bueno” and was eager to ask more questions about it. He chatted with us for a bit before returning to his post.
Example 2: Our apartment complex has a porterro (guard) at the front of it 24/7. His job is to open and close the gate when people are coming and going, call “safe” taxis for those who need them, and keep the apartment complex secure. But our porterros have been more than simply guards. Each time we go down there they greet us with a smile and a two minute speech all in Spanish (I would be lying if I said I didn’t have a little moment of panic every time I have to come and go because I know someone is going to talk to me in Spanish and I’m going to have the response of a kindergartener).
I think these examples are fantastic reflections of who Colombians are. Although a large part of the world believes Colombia is an unstable, unsafe place, it's really a place of compassionate and enthusiastic people bursting for a chance to connect with whomever they meet.
Shake those hips, not those arms.
Last week the new teachers ventured out on our first salsa adventure at Tin Tin Deo. It was a very unintimidating venue and a lot of fun for newbies to salsa. Although dancing was fun, we were more entertained by watching the Calenos (people from Cali are called Calenos and Calenas) dance. We were mesmerized by the way they can move! And salsa in Cali is known for it's intense hip movement (Aaron and I really need to take the American hip-hop out of our dance moves). Apparently it’s very common to hire a salsa teacher to come to your house and teach lessons, so hopefully we’ll be doing that soon. :)
Nirvana
Yesterday the Asopadres (Parent’s Association) of Colegio Bolivar took us on a special trip to Nirvana Nature Reserve. It was about an hour bus ride out of the city up in the mountains. Upon arrival, we drank tinto (black coffee) to warm up from the crisp, chilly mountain air. Then, we went for a hike that led us to a stunning overlook of the valley below. The land used to be a coffee farm but was turned into a reserve in the 90s. Our eyes danced while taking in all of the beautiful flora and fauna. The flowers, birds, and butterflies were so vibrant compared to those in Minnesota, and Aaron was having a lot of fun with the camera. Our hike ended with an amazing lunch of trout fresh from the mountain stream around the reserve. It was a relaxing way to spend a Saturday.
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| New friends! |
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| 1,000 year old tree trunk. |
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| One of the beautiful butterflies in the butterfly garden. |
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| Eagerly awaiting our trout lunch. |
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| It really doesn't get much better than this. Tinto, trucha, platanos, and flan. |
School update to come soon!
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