Life from Canada to Latin America, one word at a time.
My first year in Colombia, living in Mampujan, I facetiously gave up almost everything for Lent: running water, carpets, spicy food, chocolate chips, winter coats, long sleeves, bathtubs, washing machines with spin cycles. Every time I bathed with a single cup full of water and ate a plate of plain rice, I felt holier than
I used to love motorcycles. When I first got to Sincelejo, every trip to the store felt like an adventure. I would stand on the street, wave down the first moto that came around the corner, and hop on board. As we raced down the street, I relished the feel of wind in my hair,
Liberation comes in the smallest of ways. Somehow, the normal moments of adulthood have never shown up: the deed to a house, a ringed finger, an enjoyment of driving, a bun in the oven, an understanding of RRSPs, the final of revelation of what I really want to be when I grow up. Yet in
Espanol Bogota is different. Instead of chickens and pigs roaming the streets as I walk to work, I avoid beautifully groomed dogs and their equally beautiful owners. Instead of stepping over ditches of grey water and greeting all of my neighbours by name, I try to be careful not to get run over by giant
These shriveled seeds we plant, corn kernel, dried bean, poke into loosened soil, cover over with measured fingertips These T-shirts we fold into perfect white squares These tortillas we slice and fry to crisp strips This rich egg scrambled in a gray clay bowl This bed whose covers I straighten smoothing edges till blue quilt
The last few days have been a flurry of activity: packing, cleaning, finishing, last minute paperwork, handing out over fifty photos of my face, saying see you later, and eating rice. It has been full of the last time (at least for a long time) I will: Eat San Choco in Mamapujan Viejo Hang out
Living simply is a wonderful ideal. Confession: I have read More with Less and Simply in Season front to back like a novel. I love the idea of using less so that others may have a little more. There is so much beauty to be found in the small, simple pleasure of life. When we,
So, one of the things I do in Mampuján that was not part of my job description is serve as official photographer for all birthday parties. Besides taking all of the photos, I sometimes also make the cake, or at least try to teach people how to make their own cake. I am now an
As I prepare to leave in just under a month (yikes!), I am trying to enjoy, or at least recognize, the frantic chaos, the moments of grace, and the just plain weird that encapsulate this community. Here are some examples: Frantic Chaos: Mampuján is generally in a state of chaos, but this week has been
Yesterday, Colombians celebrated the Day of the Child, and I wanted to do something special to commemorate the children here in Mampuján as there is not often official community recognition of their benefit to the community. I also managed to get a snow cone maker that I was excited to try out! So, we decided
