When I told people that I was going to Colombia, they seemed surprised. Many people only knew of Colombia through the TV show Narcos or the news stories of that time.
Well, I am here to tell you that the people that the warm and strong adults and students that I have met, the beautiful places that I have seen, and the care for the environment that I have witnessed is so much greater than horrible reality of the past.
The people that I have met in the schools and stores want so much to be helpful and understand English. I did not know that learning English would be such a big deal. Many signs and just about every shirt that I have seen is in English. I have met waiters and cooks who have or are currently trying to learn the language. I feel that in America we really don't realize that countries around the world are watching us and want to be like the ideals that we claim to live by each day.
The environment truly is a mix of old and new. Older businesses survive next to new, shiny skyscrapers. Schools that are older structures and are sparsely decorated have glimpses of color in the form of murals and some of the most beautiful artwork created by students. People sell all kinds of food along the streets at well-worn carts while standing in front of McDonald's and Subway. We attended a wonderful concert featuring old traditional music and dance by Orquestra Sinfonica in a beautiful new building. Even cacti and trees grow together in amazing shades of green in Chicamocha Canyon. Instead of tearing down so many things, people in Bucaramanga have found a way to make the old and new coexist.
Diego, our host teacher, could not drive us to school yesterday because once a week people with certain numbers on their license plates can't drive. It is done to control the pollution in the city. I couldn't help but to think of the protests that people would have about this in the
U. S. Even in my very Americanized hotel here, the electricity will only work if I put my card in a slot in the door. This added step also keeps me from losing it! :) The green spaces around my host school has signs encouraging care for the environment.
Are there struggles here? Are there signs of extreme poverty? Are their places that aren't safe? Is there still concern about drugs and its effect on people? Are their people who are extremely frustrated with their government? The answer is yes to all of those questions. But, I think that the way that the people of Colombia keep fighting against the past, moving forward, and encouraging the best for their young people should be a model for all of us.
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