Thoughts and musings

Now that we've been in Colombia for a few months, it feel like home. It doesn't feel like 'Colombia' however that is meant to feel. There are some quite big differences though...

1. To use a cash machine on the street, you have to go into a little room and lock the door behind you.

2.The police carry guns...BIG GUNS. And there are soldiers everywhere - also carrying BIG GUNS.

3. Normal rules of the road don't apply. There are no lanes. Instead of using breaks to avoid crashing or running people over, you just beep your horn and continue to travel and break-neck speed.

4. You ALWAYS have to look where you are walking. Otherwise, you could end up with your foot in a soggy pile of sewage or worse still, actually fall down an open drain - as Candice found out.

5. Hsssssssssssssss - if you're a women, this sound follows you around everywhere you walk. Men hiss at women all the time, it's meant to be a compliment I guess but it's actually very annoying...and kind of creepy, but you get used to it.

6. You never dilute spirits with a mixer. If you decide to drink rum or Aguadiente (the local spirit that tastes a bit like Sambuca). You buy a bottle between friends and drink shots of it until it's finished. BEWARE: this can be a recipe for disaster!

7. In bars and clubs, everyone dances in couples. Apart from on the rare occasion they are playing 'pop' music people always dance in boy/girl couples - and the men can really dance. In fact, everyone here can dance. Sadly, salsa as well as our Spanish doesn't seem to be improving much. But we try and trying is fun!

8. Whether you're doing a food shop in the supermarket, buying an arepa con huevo (street snack) or paying for a taxi - nobody EVER has any change. I don't know what happens to the coins and small notes but they never seem to have enough.

9. People talk to each other. Whether they know you or not, people are interested to know how you are, where you're from etc etc. On my journeys to the bus stop, to the laundry,to the beach and to the Aussie Cafe I say hi to the people I see there all the time, pass the time of day with them and it's nice.

10. The weather. It's sunny and hot (apart from the last week or so when Hurricane Tomas brought rain). but in general the weather is awesome and I love it!

In other news...

Visa - we might have made one small step forward but we'll have to wait and see. Will update soon.

Work - same situation. Not much has changed here.