Colombia - Day 1

So, I have had so many great experiences and learned so much that I can't even begin to explain. I wanted to start jotting things down to help remember and document the journey here in beautiful Colombia. So, I decided to write on the blog again that I created a LONG time ago.

I will be documenting the things we have done and things I learned or found interesting throughout as well.

Day 1 - Flew in at 1pm local time. The line was crazy long and didn't leave the airport until 3pm or so. Then we got in their cute little car, just like everyone else, and headed to lunch in the mountains over looking Medellin. The weather in the air was perfect and sunny but crisp and cool with the breeze as we overlooked the gorgeous big city. There were TONS of huge sky scraping buildings nestled all over the city and into the mountains. There was also country that you could see as well at times.

We went to Alejandra's mothers house. It was in the city with a lot of larger apartment buildings as you see in the movies with people all over in the streets and taxi's. The roads were hilly. Nothing was flat. She was on the third and top floor of her building and had great views of her "suburb" of the city. Her apartment was so tiny but perfect for her and all a person needs. The living room was probably 5feet by 6 feet where she has 2 wooden chairs and a radio with a coffee table as a sitting area. Her bathroom was similar to what we would see in an RV and approximately 5 feet by 3 feet. Her kitchen and living area together measured 4feet by 10 feet approximately and again everything was petite and all you need. Her bedroom had a TV, dresser, and closet. It was approximately 9 feet by 8 feet. She had a gorgeous outside rap around patio with great views. When someone came to her door, they would buzz her, she would look over the balcony and toss her keys to them so they could come in the building and up to her apartment.

We then left and went to Alejandra's house. Here is where I saw A LOT of traffic that I am sure does not compare to New York or Chicago traffic. People all over, bikes, mopeds, taxi's, cars, etc filled the streets and corners. Breaks and horns going like crazy everywhere. I felt safe though since I was with those who are used to this. You have to have the attitude "loose it or loose it" in order to survive in this city as a driver and if not you will be ran over in no time.

Alejandra's house is an a 13 story apartment building by a lot of parks within walking distance and by the subway and a college. It is highly secure with 24 hour security and they are who allows people in and out of the building. Her apartment is on the 11th floor. It is as well sweet, cute, and simple. Her living room was a decorative rug and pillows pushed against the wall as a sitting area. She has 2 bar stools for an eating area which overlooks into the small long kitchen that is perfect size. She has small appliances and just enough eggs, fruits, veggies, cheese and bread for 2. She has 2 bathrooms and a bedroom all very small and simple but yet cute and perfect. Things are white and in place and organized. The bathrooms are not built for big people. They resemble what we would see in a motor home so needless to say it was difficult for even me to have knee room while using the restroom as well as getting in and out of the shower and dressing in the restroom, but it is perfect for them. She has an amazing view of the city from her walk out balcony on the 11th floor. You constantly hear the busy city from people laughing, the subway, the cars and taxi's honking and of course the moped engines reving up all day and night. She can lay in her bed and see the mountains and city in an unexplainable beauty.

That night, we went to take a walk to the parks. Here we went through I don't even know how many parks close by. Great exercise. I saw sooo many big dogs and no small dogs. It was dark, so I was unsure how to take this in terms of safety but went with it. It was perfectly fine and I felt very safe. I may have felt so safe considering I realized quickly that I was like a monster compared to the citizens who lived here. The only people I felt to fit in with size wise was other tourists. We walked through quiet waterfall and floral parks to a place where the night life is poppin with people watching football (aka soccer) on big screens in bars which where all outdoor. No one was roudy, drunk, or obnoxious. Everyone kept to themselves and were helpful when spoken to. I tried to learn spanish as well asking a million questions and beginning to feel more confident in speaking it in public as we visited with people saying "gracias" etc... haha! The simple things huh?!

We ran across an outdoor cafe (aka bar) on the outskirts of a park. They invited us over for an English class. They explained it was a new joint and they were trying to promote a place for multicultural people to visit and learn languages. We attended and met some cool people. Alejandra and her boyfriend, Manuel, plan to continue attending weekly. I had plenty of conversations in English to help the others as well as answer their thousand questions about me and how I just arrived that same day but were there with them. We stayed for a beer and then left to get home for some shut eye due to being incredibly exhausted at this point on only day 1 of my Colombian adventure.